I have been touched by the New Testament story in Mark chapter 9 of the man who brought his son to the Savior to be healed, and was told that all things were possible to him that believeth. Hope must have swelled in the heart of this man who had apparently suffered with his son for years as "the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe..." This immediate reaction is one that I can envision myself having. And then I can also envision myself having the same reaction that followed as the thought might enter my head "can this really happen?" The father's next words were "help thou mine unbelief." I don't know that we can really classify this reaction as doubt, but rather it may simply be a realization that, after such a long time of trial, all of this stress and burden can be taken away, but it is dependent upon my faith - is my faith really sufficient? Lord, please make up the difference and help my faith be sufficient - help thou mine unbelief.

The scriptures teach us to hearken back to times when our prayers were answered to help bolster or strengthen our faith when doubt creeps in. In Doctrine and Covenants section 6, Oliver Cowdery was told to "cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart... did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?"

I am grateful for times in my life when the Spirit has spoken peace to my mind and my heart. I am grateful that I can look back on those moments and feel again the Spirit's assurance that testifies of truth. I am grateful for answered prayers from a loving Heavenly Father. Though there may be moments when I may need to ask "Help thou mine unbelief," I am grateful that I can still genuinely declare that "I believe!"

 
There came a man to the Lord, Had suffered years and could take no more,
Said, “My son’s torment is continuous, Please have compassion on the two of us.”
Said the Lord to the man, “This thing I’ll do if you believe I can.”
With emotion built through years, said the father through his tears:

 

“O Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief.”
Stretched forth His hand the Lord, and the boy was then restored.

 

Now I come to Him, as that man, And I know the truth about who I am.
But there are moments… of self-doubt, when I forget what life’s about…
But I feel His words answering my plea, “Cast your mind upon the night you cried unto me…
Did I not speak peace unto your mind?  What greater witness can you find?”

 

O Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief.
I know that Thou art there, and hast heard my humble prayer…

 

And answers have been revealed,
and I, too, have been healed.

 

O Lord, I believe; Help Thou mine unbelief.
With emotion built through years, I now declare it through my own tears:
“I believe.”

 

I know Thou lovest me; I now testify of Thee…
I believe.