Adapted from Marian Christopherson’s WMF Session at the 2026 AFLC Annual Conference, Part 1

2008 was one of the worst years of my life. It was the year some very close family members turned their back on their Christian faith and shut us out of their lives. In deep sorrow and grief, I cried myself to sleep every night for a year—sobbed would be more accurate. But it is this experience in my life that helps me today to more fully understand our theme verse from Mark 9:24, “I believe; help my unbelief.”

Our theme verse presents a profound paradox—authentic trust paired with honest doubt. Believing, but at the same time asking for help to overcome unbelief. We think, How can that be? Dietrich Bonhoeffer explains it this way: “Lord, I believe—I believe what you say, I believe that your word and your promise are true. I believe, when I am looking at you, when I hear the words, when I see. But when I am looking at myself, then, dear Lord, help my unbelief. When I am besieged, when everything in me resists such a promise—reason, history, the world, my experience—help my unbelief.”^[1]

Bonhoeffer’s prayer reminds us that faith is not something we manufacture on our own. ^“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB). No matter how great or small, faith is always a gift of God!

I wonder if Martin Luther had been studying Mark 9 when he wrote the meaning to the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed: “I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ my Lord or come to Him; but the Holy Spirit has called me through the Gospel, . . .” 

“I believe that I cannot . . . believe.” Do you see the paradox again?

Lutheran commentator, R. C. H. Lenski sheds further light on Mark 9: “The cry: ‘I do believe!’ certainly attests the man’s faith. The second cry: ‘Be helping my unbelief!’ acknowledges the man’s weakness of faith, which, by contrast with what it ought to be, he calls ‘unbelief.’ This, too, was well, for they who feel their lack of faith are in the best condition for removing this lack.”^[2] Or having this lack removed. Knowing it is possible, yet deeply feeling the impossibility.

Just think of this father in Mark 9, who has already endured years of watching his beloved son be thrown into convulsions. Can you imagine his distress, his desperation, his hopelessness?! In his weakness and helplessness, he comes to Jesus with his doubting mustard seed of faith. “If you can do anything, . . . please help us!” he cries out to Jesus. Jesus casts out the unclean spirit and heals the boy. With this man, and with us—God’s power is perfected in our weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Through this account in Scripture, we see that doubt is not necessarily the enemy of faith. Doubt and questioning can lead to greater faith. What are your doubts and questions? Bring them to Jesus and seek answers in His Word.

Some of you may think, Doubt is not a problem for me. I have great confidence in God. Perhaps you don’t doubt your salvation—that Jesus died for you and you have the gift of eternal life. But doubt shows up in other places. My doubt may not be a conscious doubt. But think for a moment: How might my actions demonstrate doubt or unbelief?

* My impatience with circumstances in life reveals unbelief in God’s sovereignty to work all things for good.

* Dissatisfaction with my appearance or gifts (and comparing myself to others in a negative way) shows my doubt that God created me with intentionality and purpose.

Think of other personal examples and write them down.

Many of you, like me, have loved ones who are not walking with Jesus. Sometimes I lose hope! My lack of persistent prayer for them at times demonstrates unbelief. Even if we don’t articulate it, sometimes we feel, Do my prayers matter? Does Jesus hear my cries of desperation? It all seems hopeless. We doubt.

At that moment, God does not take out a scale and weigh our faith to see if there is enough. He doesn’t say to us, go back and lift some more faith weights to see if you can bulk up a bit more! He does not say that. He does not. No, Jesus hears you! He hears even the unspoken cries of your heart, the groanings too deep for words in the middle of the night, and He cares for you! Listen to the words of Jesus to the believing/unbelieving man in Luke 9:23, “All things are possible to Him who believes.” So we pray, “Lord, I believe; help my unbelief.”

Now let’s look from a different perspective: How might my actions demonstrate faith and confidence in God? Begin by reversing your negative points above.

* My patience with circumstances in life reveals belief in God’s sovereignty to work all things for good (Romans 8:28).

* Contentment with my appearance or gifts (and not comparing myself to others in a negative way) shows my belief that God created me with intentionality and purpose (Psalm 139).

If my experience is that I am not feeling or acting patient and not being content, then I see my need, and I can pray, LORD HELP ME! asking God to give me patience and contentment.

Think of other personal examples and write them down.

Here’s one more demonstration of faith: When I believe God loves all people and came to save them, I will be concerned for my neighbors and desire for God to use me to reach them for Jesus.

What might that look like in daily life? How can God use me? (See Part 2)

Marian Christopherson is the director of AFLC Parish Education.

^[1] Dietrich Bonhoeffer, London: 1933–1935, ed. Hans Goedeking et al., trans. Isabel Best and Douglas W. Stott, vol. 13, Dietrich Bonhoeffer Works (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2007), 408.

^[2] R. C. H. Lenski, The Interpretation of St. Mark’s Gospel (Minneapolis, MN: Augsburg Publishing House, 1961), 381.