This is the kind that can only be driven out by prayer

Eccles. 1:1-10, Mk 9:14-29. In today's Gospel, a report was brought to Jesus about the inability of His disciples to heal a boy who was dumb. In response to their question as to why they could not heal the boy, Jesus answered that “This is the kind that can only be driven out by prayer". The implication is that the disciples were trying to heal this boy with their own power, but it was only through the power of God that could heal him. If they were to be the channels of the power of God they needed to pray more. They needed to be in deeper communion with God if God was to work through them in a life-giving way.

Some situations in life are so much bigger than us, that it is only prayer that will get us through them. It is the Lord who keeps us going and our connection with Him through prayer, when other resources appear inadequate. Sirach found human resources inadequate to reassure us the certainty of the wisdom of God in today's first reading. He affirms: “All wisdom comes from the Lord, and with him it remains forever, and is before all time. The sand of the seashore, the drops of rain, the days or eternity: who can number these? Heaven’s height, earth’s breadth, the depths of the abyss: who can explore these?” Through Jesus we discover whom we are, provided we persevere in prayer and balance our prayer with reverence, humility and good sense.

May the Lord restore our hope and build up our faith in Him! Amen!! Good morning and have a productive week!!!