PRAYER

Monday of the Seventh Week in Ordinary Time – Mark 9:14-29

The Gospel today offers us valuable lessons for all Christians who minister to others through prayer. It provides us with some wise steps to follow when praying with someone for healing or relief from any difficulty:

1. Ask questions to understand the nature of the problem (v. 21): Jesus asked the crowd, “What are you arguing about with them?” He then encouraged the man to share what was happening. Similarly, it's important to understand the situation fully before moving forward in prayer.

2. Invite the person to act in faith (v. 23): Jesus said, “Everything is possible to one who has faith.” Inviting the person to trust in Jesus opens the door for His power to work in their lives.

3. Bring the person to Jesus (v. 19) through prayer (v. 29): Jesus said, “Bring him to me.” We can bring others to Jesus through intercessory prayer, asking Him to intervene in their lives.

Additionally, prayer can be combined with fasting when possible. There is a story of a priest in South America who did penance and fasting with his penitent for 30 days. One day, a man came to confession, and after hearing his confession, the priest said, “I will be praying and doing penance for you with fasting for the next 30 days.”

There are many things we cannot do with our own hands or assistance, but there is much we can accomplish through prayer. As Jesus said at the end of today’s Gospel, “This kind can only come out through prayer.”

If someone you know is struggling with life, ask them what their problem is, and bring that person and their situation to Jesus in prayer. I believe that if we are sincere and act with good will, Jesus will respond and bring healing.

1. Introduction to the Gospel Reading

The passage from Mark 9:14-29 presents an important lesson on prayer, healing, and faith.

Jesus teaches ……

2. Step 1: Ask Questions to Understand the Nature of the Problem (v. 21)

Jesus asks the father of the possessed boy, “What are you arguing about with them?” This is an invitation to share the details of the situation.

Application: To effectively pray for others, it’s important to understand their struggles or difficulties fully. Asking questions helps to gather necessary information, allowing us to pray with awareness and insight.

3. Step 2: Invite the Person to Act in Faith (v. 23)

Jesus states, “Everything is possible to one who has faith.”

Application: Encourage those we pray for to place their trust in Jesus, which opens the door for God’s miraculous intervention. Faith is a key to receiving God’s grace and healing.

4. Step 3: Bring the Person to Jesus Through Prayer (v. 19, v. 29)

Jesus says, “Bring him to me.”

Application: We can bring others to Jesus through our prayers of intercession. Whether it is healing, strength, or guidance that a person needs, we can lift them up to Christ through prayer.

5. The Role of Prayer and Fasting

Application: Prayer combined with fasting enhances the spiritual strength of the prayer and aids in deeper intercession. A story is shared about a priest in South America who fasted and prayed for 30 days for someone in need. This teaches that we can fast and pray for others, offering up sacrifices for their spiritual and physical well-being.

6. “This Kind Can Only Come Out Through Prayer” (v. 29)

Jesus makes a profound statement that certain challenges or evils can only be overcome through prayer.

Application: There are situations beyond our control, and prayer is a powerful means of handling them. We are reminded that not everything can be solved by human effort alone—sometimes we need to rely on the power of prayer.

7. Conclusion: Bringing Others to Jesus

The Gospel invites us to help those struggling by understanding their issues, encouraging faith, and praying for them.

Application: We are called to bring others to Jesus through prayer, trusting that He will respond with healing and transformation. If we approach our ministry with sincerity and goodwill, we believe that Jesus will heal and restore.

Call to Action

Ask someone who is struggling in your life to share what they are facing.

Commit to bringing their struggles to Jesus in prayer, trusting in His power to heal and restore.

This passage highlights the importance of understanding, faith, and prayer in ministering to others, especially when they face difficult challenges.