Mark 9 v25-29

²⁵ When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. ‘You deaf and mute spirit,’ he said, ‘I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.’

²⁶ The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, ‘He’s dead.’ ²⁷ But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

²⁸ After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, ‘Why couldn’t we drive it out?’

²⁹ He replied, ‘This kind can come out only by prayer.’

• What's the relationship between faith and prayer?
• How does this encounter help us when we struggle to listen to Jesus?
• What can you tell yourself when you find it hard to listen to Jesus or do what he says?