Changing “if you can,” to “if you will” prayers.
One of my favorite passages in all of Scripture is Mark 9:14–27—especially verse 24, when a father begs Jesus to heal his son. It’s the father’s honest, gut-wrenching cry that stays with me:
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” (Mark 9:24)
This is a father desperate for healing for his son, who had suffered his entire life. We don’t know exactly what the condition was, perhaps seizures, mental illness, or what Scripture describes as an evil spirit—but we do know the impact. The boy was thrown to the ground, foaming at the mouth, harmed again and again. This had affected the boy his entire life (Mark 9:17–24). And the father had tried everything.
He brought his son to the disciples and the religious leaders. He clearly believed in healing. He believed in prayer. He believed that being near Jesus, near the right people, might be enough.
But it wasn’t.
I understand this father. I’ve been there. Doing the research. Seeking out the experts. Going to the “right” people. Praying as much as I know how for hours, days, years and still watching those I love and care for suffer. Holding on to faith, but quietly wondering why it doesn’t seem like enough.
Then the father says to Jesus,
“Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.” (Mark 9:22)
If you can.
Jesus responds,
“What do you mean, ‘If you can’? Anything is possible for one who believes.” (Mark 9:23)
It’s not harsh, but it’s a gentle and direct correction. An important shift. Jesus moves the question from His ability to our belief. He is reminding the father, and me, that the question was never if He can. He can do all things. Many times after years of disappointment, prayers that feel unanswered, and situations that just seem impossible, I’ve found myself whispering the prayer, “help us if you can Jesus.” I don’t even think I realized that each day and hour that seemed overwhelming would cause my faith to slip from, “Jesus you can help us - do it if you will it,” to the tired, weak prayer of disbelief that becomes, “if you can.”
Somewhere along the way, though, our prayers can quietly change. After enough disappointment, unanswered prayers, and overwhelming circumstances, the prayer slowly becomes “if you can.”
I don’t even notice it happening.
And that’s why I love verse 24 so much. In response to Jesus’ quiet and clear redirection to the truth, the father immediately cries out,
“I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!”
He doesn’t hide his doubt. He doesn’t clean it up. He doesn’t deny it and pretend. He brings both—faith and unbelief—right to Jesus.
And Jesus heals his son.
Earlier in the passage, Jesus rebukes the disciples and religious leaders for their lack of faith. But here, this father’s raw honesty, holding belief and doubt at the same time, is met with compassion and power. That kind of faith, imperfect and desperate, is enough.
That gives me so much hope! How encouraging it is to know that I can hold both great faith in a Savior who can do anything, at the same time as great doubt and ask God to respond to that too. When I turn to Jesus for help with my unbelief, then anything is possible. Because it means I don’t have to wait until my faith feels strong to come to Jesus. I can bring the whole thing, the belief and the questions, the confidence and the fear, and ask Him to meet me there.
So dear Jesus, help me turn my “if you can” prayers into “if you will” prayers.
Help me declare “I do believe!” and at the same time give each doubt, question, anxiety and unbelief to You.
Hold it all in Your hands and turn into great faith.
Is there something you're still holding an "if you can" prayer about?
We believe prayer is powerful, and we don't want you to carry it alone. Submit your prayer request and our Joy Meadows Prayer Team will lift you up by name.
