What can we learn from the boy's deliverance about faith and prayer? Setting the scene “After shrieking and convulsing him violently, the spirit came out. The boy became like a corpse, so that many said, ‘He is dead!’” (Mark 9:26) Faith faces the impossible • The boy’s condition looked hopeless—first violent convulsions, then utter stillness. • Faith steps forward when sight says, “It’s over.” (2 Corinthians 5:7) • Jesus’ presence, not outward appearances, settles the matter (Mark 9:27). What the violent convulsion teaches us about prayer • Spiritual victories can look messy before the breakthrough. • Prayer keeps us steady when the battle intensifies (Ephesians 6:18). • The moment of apparent defeat often precedes deliverance (Psalm 30:5). Lessons about faith from the father, the disciples, and the boy 1. The father: humble faith admits need—“I do believe; help my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24). 2. The disciples: past success is no guarantee; continual dependence is required (Mark 9:18). 3. The boy: complete helplessness becomes the platform for God’s power (2 Corinthians 12:9). Why prayer, not technique, is decisive • Jesus: “This kind cannot come out, except by prayer.” (Mark 9:29) • Prayer aligns us with God’s authority, not our own (James 5:16). • Prayer exposes self-reliance and cultivates child-like trust (Hebrews 11:6). Practical takeaways for today • When a situation “convulses,” refuse panic; keep praying. • Admit unbelief quickly; invite Christ to strengthen faith. • Evaluate methods—replace routine formulas with fresh dependence. • Expect apparent setbacks; faith holds on beyond the last visible pulse. Faith grounded in persistent prayer turns seeming death into undeniable deliverance. |