The following is a poetic account derived from
Matthew 17, Mark 9 and Luke 9…

Peter, James, and John had gone up with Jesus to pray on a mountain when He was transformed before them and was talking with Moses and Elijah. “This is My beloved Son,” was spoken by God from out of a cloud.

After this amazing supernatural experience, they came down together with Him to find the other disciples involved in a dispute with some scribes–the group was surrounded by a large crowd.

When Jesus asked about the discussion, a father came and knelt before Him in regard to the plight of his son–who was possessed by a troubling evil spirit that never was done.

The boy was mute, experienced foaming of the mouth, and would grind his teeth and become rigid–his life unsound. Additionally, this violent spirit would often throw him onto the ground.

The father said that Jesus’ disciples had been unable to cast out the demon with which his son had been defiled. Later, he would share that the trouble had been happening ever since the boy had been a child.

Having just come down from the mountain and the time of His transfiguration, Jesus must have felt such a difference, saying, “Oh faithless generation!”

“How long shall I be with you? How long shall I bear with you? Bring him to Me.” They brought him to Jesus and the spirit convulsed him; his plight was plain for all to see.

The father told Jesus how it had tried to destroy his son’s life by throwing him into water or fire. “If you can do anything, take pity on us and help us,” the man said, expressing his deep desire.

Jesus responded with, “If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes.” With tears, he answered, “I do believe; help my unbelief.” Doubtful thoughts had come from the devil, who deceives.

Before a greater crowd could gather, Jesus rebuked the spirit, telling it to never re-enter, after He’d commanded it to come out. It threw the boy into terrible convulsions, but he was delivered in spite of the father’s doubt.

The boy looked so limp and still that the people thought he must be dead. But Jesus, knowing otherwise, took him by the hand and raised him, and the boy stood up instead.

Jesus mercifully had answered the father’s plea, even though, after so many attacks, his faith had been marred. Then the disciples asked Him about their failure in the matter–why it had been so hard,

Jesus attributed it to their unbelief and said that prayer was needed–two of the texts add that fasting was due. But believing you receive when you pray, and doubting not, are important lessons within this account, too.

Mark 11:22-23 “…Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt IN HIS HEART, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

Faith will work in the heart, even when doubts have come to the mind. Resist the devil and remember that his activities yet today we must cast down and bind.

(After the death and resurrection of Jesus, the disciples received the power of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, (Acts 2) as Jesus had said they would. This enabled them to speak/pray in tongues, a gift to believers, a supernatural help in prayer. For more on this, refer to http://www.rhema.org and go to Study Center, articles under “Holy Spirit.”)