This post is part of a 40-day journey following Jesus in his prayer life. We’ll explore virtually every reference in the Gospels to Jesus and prayer. For a more in-depth treatment, see my book Prayers from the Pit.
“And when Jesus saw that a crowd came running together, he rebuked the unclean spirit, saying to it, ‘You mute and deaf spirit, I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’ And after crying out and convulsing him terribly, it came out, and the boy was like a corpse, so that most of them said, ‘He is dead.’ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him up, and he arose. And when he had entered the house, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why could we not cast it out?’And he said to them, ‘This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer’” (Mark 9:25-29 ESV).
This incident is preceded by the Transfiguration–a moment at which Jesus’ magnificence is clearly revealed. Never has Jesus seemed stronger. Never has he appeared mightier.
Yet now, a few clicks of the clock later, we find Jesus dependent and helpless: “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.” Jesus can do nothing but pray. He does not possess the strength within him to drive this demon out. He must rely upon assistance from above.
Jesus’ statement describes why the disciples could not drive out the boy’s demon. They relied on their own power. They did not ask for assistance from above.
Yet it also describes why Jesus could drive out the demon. He sought the support of his Father. At some point in this encounter (though it is not recorded) Jesus prayed. Not even the Transfigured Messiah could accomplish this feat alone.
“This…cannot be [accomplished] by anything but prayer.” If you took that line seriously, how would it impact your life? Is there something you’ve been trying to do on your own power? In what areas of your life are you more like the disciples (“I can do this”) and less like Jesus (“Only God can do this”)? Pray today as if nothing will happen unless you pray.
