Mark 9:23-29
“‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.”
The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.
After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”
He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.”
Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
Psalm 4:1
Answer me when I call to you, my righteous God. Give me relief from my distress; have mercy on me and hear my prayer.
In Mark 9:23-29, why couldn’t the disciples drive out the impure spirit? Jesus revealed the reason: prayer was needed to drive it out.
Unlike his disciples, Jesus was able to expel the evil spirit because 1) he was the savior and 2) he prayed. Jesus taught them that if they pray, they could also do it.
Prayer Is Work
Consider your prayer time as work time. When attempting to solve a problem, you need to work on the issue. Things get done as much as you do them. If you pray about something, it will be resolved or be fulfilled depending on how much you pray.
If you cannot actually deal with a given issue hands-on, don’t get discouraged thinking that things won’t work out. You can do the work of praying to God. If you pray, God will hear your prayer. He will either solve it through the one with the mission, turn the circumstances around, or directly come to handle the situation Himself.
If you pray, things will work out. It’s like your body actually going there and taking action. If you pray, the Trinity will do the work you are unable to do, including the things that wouldn’t have worked out even if you were to have gone there in person to do them.
Just as you would require a lot of time to accomplish a big task, many hours of prayer are needed to solve big problems. Work gets done as much as you do it. Prayer is the same. The matters you need to solve will get done when you pray.
The Essentials of Prayer
The most important thing when it comes to prayer is being earnest and sincere. Prayer is addressing the Almighty Holy Trinity, so pray sincerely, honestly, earnestly, with all your heart, will, and life, and with dedication.
Additionally, as with all types of work, when conducting the work of prayer, you need to do it properly with focus. Then you will be able to pray well.
You should also ask the Holy Spirit to help you pray well. As it states in Romans 8:26: “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans.” The Holy Spirit will inspire you and guide you to pray according to God’s Will.
Lastly, setting a time to pray is an important and ideal way to not miss a day of prayer. When you consistently pray at a set time, the power and strength of your prayer will be different.
Overcome Difficulties with Prayer
Prayer is the best method for resolving your problems. As you live your life of faith, there are many difficulties that may come from the world, yourself, your family, or other sources. Sometimes, ghosts and demons hinder you from prayer and obstruct you from listening to the Word. However, no matter what comes your way, you must surely pray. Then, God, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus will resolve your problems. And if there are appropriate things you have earnestly prayed for that have not yet been fulfilled, it is because the time has not yet come.
Prayer is work. Your problems will be resolved at the proper time as much as you pray. May you become someone who prays every day, realizing the value of prayer.
