The Power of Crying Out
Finding Breakthroughs Through Prayer
One of the joys of being part of the Anglican tradition is the use of the lectionary. It guides our sermons and scripture readings, taking the guesswork out of planning. It weaves together passages from the Bible, offering prayers and liturgy that shape our focus and worship. As a preacher, I’ve cherished the opportunity to revisit the same passages multiple times. Each time, I reflect on how my understanding has evolved, much like a fine wine aging—sometimes becoming sweeter, sometimes more complex.
Today, I want to share some insights from a passage that I’ve preached several times: “Some breakthroughs will only come through crying out to God Himself.”
The Story of Desperation
You might be familiar with the story from Mark 9 where Jesus, fresh from the mountaintop Transfiguration, encounters a father desperately seeking help for his son. This boy is tormented by an evil spirit, rendered deaf and mute, and suffering violent seizures. The father brings his son to Jesus’ disciples, but they are unable to help.
When Jesus arrives, He senses the weight of disbelief surrounding Him. He responds to the crowd’s doubt with a poignant question: “How long shall I stay with you?” Here, we see a glimpse of His frustration—not just with the disciples but maybe even with the father of this young man.
When the father finally speaks, he reveals his anguish: “If you can do anything, help us.” The statement is fascinating as it suggests uncertainty about Jesus’ power or willingness. Jesus responds, highlighting that the issue with the statement at hand is faith: “All things are possible for one who believes.”
The Cry for Help
Desperate, the father cries out, “I believe; help my unbelief!” This moment encapsulates the duality we all face as believers. We can have faith, yet still struggle with doubts. It’s a profound admission that resonates with many of us.
What’s crucial to understand is that in this exchange, the father’s cry for help is both a moment of vulnerability and a pivotal act of faith. Jesus meets him in that place of desperation, healing his son while simultaneously addressing the father’s doubt.
The Role of Prayer
When the disciples later asked why they couldn’t cast out the spirit, Jesus says, “This kind can only come out by prayer.” This emphasizes that prayer is not just a ritual; it’s a powerful exercise of faith. It’s through prayer that we can confront our doubts and seek the breakthroughs we need.
In moments of despair, when we feel like we’re spinning our wheels, it’s tempting to try to solve everything ourselves, just as the disciples initially attempted. But often, the most profound action we can take is to cry out to God.
A Personal Reflection
Recently, while driving around New York with my realtor, a young man who once identified as a Christian but now struggles with faith, I asked him about the origin of his struggles. Weeping, he shared the losses he had faced in his life and his feelings of confusion and anger. In that moment, word failed me and all I could do was lift a silent prayer: “Lord, have mercy.”
I was reminded that crying out to God is not a last resort; it’s often the most effective thing we can do.
Conclusion: A Call to Dependence
I want to encourage you: don’t fall into the trap of believing you can navigate life’s challenges alone. Prayer and reliance on God are foundational to your faith journey. The breakthroughs you seek in your life and community will come not from your own strength, but from a posture of dependence on the Lord.
Let us be a people marked by our commitment to prayer, courageously crying out to God in faith, knowing He alone can bring the healing, hope, and breakthroughs we desperately need. May you find strength in your vulnerability and experience the transformative power of reaching out to God.
