In Mark 9, there is this interesting story of a man who has a son who is demon possessed. Jesus tells him that anything is possible if you believe and immediately the man says. "I believe, help my unbelief."
That is how I live most of my life. Lord, I do believe, but in so many ways I need you to help my unbelief. I was thinking of this today–about how I know that God is enough to sustain me, and how he will never leave us or forsake us–and I couldn’t help but think that as much as I believe that I have a hard time living like I believe it. I found myself saying Lord, I believe; but help my unbelief.
So from that I came up with the following responsive reading. (I am also kicking around some ideas to make this a more personal prayer experience.) The idea is simple, you read the normal type and the audience reads the stuff in bold.
Lord, Help my unbelief
"Teacher, I brought You my son, possessed with a spirit which makes him mute; and whenever it seizes him, it slams him to the ground and he foams at the mouth, and grinds his teeth and stiffens out. I told Your disciples to cast it out, and they could not do it."
They brought the boy to Him. When he saw Him, immediately the spirit threw him into a convulsion, and falling to the ground, he began rolling around and foaming at the mouth. And He asked his father, "How long has this been happening to him?"
And he said, "From childhood. "It has often thrown him both into the fire and into the water to destroy him. But if You can do anything, take pity on us and help us!"
And Jesus said to him, " ‘If You can?’ All things are possible to him who believes."
Immediately the boy’s father cried out and said, "I do believe; help my unbelief. (Mark 9:17-19;21-24 NASB)
I believe that I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Lord, help my unbelief
I believe that I am loved by God
Lord, Help my unbelief
I believe that He will never leave me nor forsake me
Lord, Help my unbelief
I believe that God alone can fill the hole in my heart
Lord, Help my unbelief
I believe that I am fearfully and wonderfully made
Lord, Help my unbelief
I believe that God is enough to meet my needs
Lord, Help my unbelief
I believe that God has a purpose for my life
Lord, Help my unbelief
I believe that what God thinks about me is more important than what others think about me
Lord, Help my unbelief
I believe that the world is desperate to know the truth about God’s love
Lord, help my unbelief
I believe that He has called me to share that love with everyone I meet
Lord, help my unbelief
I believe that even if I walk through the valley of the shadow of death God will walk with me
Lord, help my unbelief
I believe that God’s ways are the best ways
Lord, help my unbelief
I believe that my actions will show what I really believe
Lord, help my unbelief
Very cool idea. I like involving people with responsive stuff, but too much of the liturgy has become a rote response for people.