Mark 9:22 – 24 (NASB)
22 “It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!”

23 And Jesus said to him, “‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes.”

24 Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, “I do believe; help my unbelief.”

Honest doubt

Since the disciples had failed, the desperate father was not even sure that Jesus could succeed; hence his statement, “If you can do anything” (Mark 9:22). However, the father was honest enough to admit his own unbelief and to ask the Lord to help him and his son. Jesus did cast out the demon and restore the boy to his father.

Honest failure

Why had the nine disciples failed? Because they had been careless in their personal spiritual walk and had neglected prayer and fasting (Mark 9:29). The authority that Jesus had given them was effective only if exercised by faith, but faith must be built through prayer and spiritual discipline.

Maybe they tried to drive out the demon with their own ability rather than God’s. Apparently, their words had no power. Their question revealed their error; they centered on themselves (“we”), not on Jesus. Jesus explained that this kind can come out only by prayer, and the disciples had not depended on God’s power through prayer. God’s power must be requested and relied upon in each instance. This presents a strong message to us today: Arguing among ourselves disables (9:14); but prayer enables. The disciples had been debating and not praying.

Honest faith

The man came to the right place. The attitude of trust and confidence that the Bible calls “belief” or “faith” (Hebrews 11:1, 6) is not something we can obtain without God’s help. Faith is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). No matter how much faith we have, we always need more. Prayer is the key that unlocks and reveals faith. Effective prayer demonstrates complete reliance on God. There is no substitute for prayer. Daily. Without ceasing.