Help My Unbelief

Help My Unbelief

From Grace for All by Jim Stovall, Greta Smith, First United Methodist Church, Maryville, TN

April 20, 2026 · 5 min · Season 24 · Episode 885

About this episode

The episode explores the complexities of faith and doubt through the lens of a biblical story about a father's plea for help with his unbelief.

Mark 9:23-24 (NRSV) "Jesus said to him, 'If you are able! — All things can be done for the one who believes.' Immediately the father of the child cried out, 'I believe; help my unbelief!'" Honestly, this is my favorite prayer in the Bible. Not because it's the most eloquent, or the most theologically precise. Because it's the most true. "I believe; help my unbelief." Seven words that hold the whole complicated reality of what faith actually feels like from the inside — at least for me. Not the version we think we're supposed to have. The real thing. The version that shows up at two in the morning when the problem is real, and the prayer I've been praying for years still hasn't been answered. I believe. And also — I'm not sure. Both things, at the same time, in the same breath. This father has been watching his son suffer since childhood. Seizures. Falls into fire, into water. Years of this. He came to Jesus's disciples first, and they couldn't help. So by the time Jesus arrives, this man's faith has been through things that would test anyone's. When he says "if you can do anything," that if is doing a lot of work. It's not the language of someone standing on solid ground. It's…

People in this episode

Hosts: Jim Stovall, Greta Smith

Topics covered

  • faith
  • unbelief
  • prayer
  • healing
  • spiritual struggle

Keywords

  • faith
  • unbelief
  • prayer
  • healing
  • spirituality
  • doubt
  • Mark 9

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: First United Methodist Church

Books & works: Mark 9:23-24

Places: Maryville, TN

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