14 When they came to the disciples, they saw a great crowd around them and some scribes arguing with them. 15 When the whole crowd saw him, they were immediately overcome with awe, and they ran forward to greet him. 16 He asked them, “What are you arguing about with them?” 17 Someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought you my son; he has a spirit that makes him unable to speak, 18 and whenever it seizes him, it dashes him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid, and I asked your disciples to cast it out, but they could not do so.” 19 He answered them, “You faithless generation, how much longer must I be with you? How much longer must I put up with you? Bring him to me.” 20 And they brought the boy to him. When the spirit saw him, immediately it convulsed the boy, and he fell on the ground and rolled about, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the father, “How long has this been happening to him?” And he said, “From childhood. 22 It has often cast him into the fire and into the water, to destroy him; but if you are able to do anything, help us! Have compassion on us!”
Prayer Focus: Jesus continues to be frustrated with the crowd, even calling them and the scribes “a faithless generation.” And yet he does not walk away from this father and son in need. He tells the father to bring the son to him. Jesus sees how the spirit torments the boy and asks how long the boy has suffered like this. The father asks for help and compassion. We will read the response to this plea in tomorrow’s verses, but for today, lift up your own prayer for compassion and help to the Lord. Pray for the trust and faith to believe, as this father does, that Jesus both hears and can help.
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