I was at mass the this past week and the gospel was preaching about belief. Jesus was beckoned by a man to help his son, driving out a demon that possessed him. “Jesus asked the boy’s father, ‘How long has he been like this?’ ‘From childhood,’ he answered. ‘It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.’ ‘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!’” (Mk 9:21-24) How often are we the father in this story, claiming belief but admitting to our unbelief? We may say we are Christian, but do we have our heart invested? Do we ask God for divine intervention half-heartedly… “I hope He can!”
I fall into this category for much of my life. I accept some responsibility internally but I also acknowledge Satan at work, in being the Father of Lies. He tricks me into thinking “Why would God do that? Can you really trust Him?” He sees my fault of anxiety and worry as a perfect opportunity to separate me from God, which is his eternal battle for my soul. Anything he can do to poison my spirit and keep me from God’s love is a win for him. Sometimes I give in to this. It manifests in my prayers, thoughts, and words. The simple things I think, like worrying about my finances, worrying about my future, wondering how things will work out when I’m in a trial. All these are Satan’s intervention, stealing my mind away from God and bringing my focus to myself and my petty cares instead of God’s divine, beautiful and loving plan for my life. I believe in God but not quite enough.
During the sermon, we were encouraged to speak the words of the father from the reading. “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief!” We are admitting humility and asking for grace. Grace has been described as getting what you don’t deserve. Simply put, grace is God’s love. We don’t deserve it as fallen, fallible, broken creatures that God created but in creating us with free will, He knew that we would need His grace. He knew we did not have the capacity to know what He knows so we could not act in a way that aligns with His will in every circumstance. We can admit this in saying “Help my unbelief!” We admit we need help and we admit we don’t fully understand His plan and therefore His love. In saying this simple prayer, we are asking for grace.
I invite anyone to pray this, often daily, whenever you are struggling. This is one of the many weapons we can use to defend our hearts and minds against Satan and his lies. “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (1 Pt 5:8) He is always on the prowl, like any predator, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike. He will come when you are at your weakest; sad, lonely, angry, worried, anxious. He will seep into any crack in your armor and infiltrate your mind to foster unbelief. This simple prayer, in all God’s glory and mercy, will come to your aide. Say it as many times as you need. You will feel a growing, all powerful strength in your soul, building with each repetition. This is the Holy Spirit and all the angels coming to your aide. Fighting the battle you don’t have to fight, because God cares for you. He wants to give you grace. You just have to ask for it. “Help my unbelief!”
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