Why they had not been able to drive it out

Whether they should have used a different method first

Whether they needed to wait for a better moment

Whether the problem was really theirs to handle

They asked about their inability to do it

They explained the situation to the crowd

Go to Jesus honestly and ask what is keeping you from moving forward

Assume the answer is to work harder on your own

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit my sin and my need for you. I turn from my sin and from trusting myself. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as my Lord and Savior, and I ask you to forgive me and make me new. Amen.

Come to Jesus in Honest Need

Lord, revive your Church to come to you when we are confused, ashamed, or unable. Deliver us from hiding our failures, and teach us to seek you privately and honestly. Make us a people who ask hard questions and keep trusting you for the answer, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Revive Honest Prayer in Your Church

Pray by naming one place where you feel unable, saying it plainly to Jesus, and asking what is keeping you from moving forward. Then sit quietly for a moment before you decide what to do next.

Bring One Setback to Prayer

Bring these to God: fear of being seen as weak; the habit of hiding failure; a desire for honest prayer; and willingness to ask Jesus for help before you explain yourself.

Learning to Come in Private

Father, be near the people who feel embarrassed by failure or stuck in confusion. Give them courage to come to Jesus honestly, the grace to speak their questions, and the peace to keep trusting you, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For Those Who Feel Unable

Give thanks for Jesus, who receives honest questions; for the mercy of private prayer; for the hope that failure does not have the last word; and for the way he welcomes people who come to him with need.

Gratitude for a Listening Savior

Τότε{TO-te###TOH-teh###Then} προσελθόντες{pro-sel-THON-tes###proh-sehl-THON-tehs###having approached} οἱ{EE###EE###the} μαθηταὶ{ma-thee-TE###mah-thee-TEH###disciples} τῷ{TO###TOH###to (the)} Ἰησοῦ{ee-ee-SOO###ee-ee-SOO###Jesus} κατʼ{kat###kaht###in} ἰδίαν{i-DI-an###ee-DEE-ahn###private} εἶπον·{EE-pon###EE-pohn###(They) said} Διὰ{di-A###dee-AH###For} τί{TEE###TEE###what} ἡμεῖς{hee-MEES###hee-MEES###we} οὐκ{ook###ook###not} ἠδυνήθημεν{ee-dee-NEE-thee-men###ee-dee-NEE-thee-mehn###could} ἐκβαλεῖν{ek-va-LEEN###ehk-vah-LEEN###cast out} αὐτό;{af-TO###ahf-TOH###it}

Matthew 17:19 — Audio GuideTAB

More on this verse