disaster
Faith Never Prays, ‘If You Can’
By Greg Morse at Desiring God
· June 30, 2026
· 8 min read
It was a father’s nightmare — a nightmare that followed him into the daylight. How many years was he made to watch this? How many years had he offered his prayers? How many years had his son battled this demon? He felt what no father witnessing a suffering child can bear to feel: helpless. How quick
Key takeaway How many years was he made to watch this?
Why this matters
The desperation of a father seeking healing for his afflicted son is a poignant reminder of the complexities of faith in the face of adversity. This biblical account, as reported by Desiring God, highlights the tension between the expectation of miraculous intervention and the reality of human limitation, even among those deemed to be disciples of Jesus. The failure of the disciples to exorcise the demon, despite their confidence and previous experiences, underscores the need for a deeper understanding of faith and its relationship to divine power. The arrival of Jesus and his subsequent interaction with the father and son serves as a critical moment in the narrative, one that will ultimately reveal the true nature of faith and its application in the midst of suffering. As the story unfolds, it will be instructive to observe how Jesus's response to the situation informs and challenges the prevailing notions of faith, discipleship, and the role of divine intervention in human affairs.
About this story
Original reporting by Desiring God . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit Desiring God . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 30, 2026 ·
Source: Desiring God ·
Reading time: 8 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? It was a father’s nightmare — a nightmare that followed him into the daylight. How many years was he made to watch this? How many years had he offered his prayers? How many years had his son battled this demon? He felt what no father witnessing a suffering child can bear to feel: helpless. How quick
When was this published? This article was first published on June 30, 2026 by Desiring God and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Greg Morse at Desiring God. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .