What happens when you believe God for a miracle, yet part of you is still wrestling with doubt?
Benny Hinn says the answer may be found in one of the most vulnerable prayers recorded in Scripture: “Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief.”
Teaching from Mark 9, Hinn examined the account of the desperate father who brought his demonized son to Jesus after the disciples had been unable to deliver him. Yet Hinn highlighted something that happened immediately before the boy’s deliverance: his situation seemed to worsen.
“Before every miracle there is a dark moment,” Hinn said.
When the boy came before Jesus, the spirit threw him into a violent convulsion. Hinn compared the scene to Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Moses had arrived with a promise from God, but Pharaoh increased the Israelites’ burden before their breakthrough finally came.
“Right before a miracle happens, the darkest moment comes,” Hinn said.
For Christians watching circumstances deteriorate despite their prayers, Hinn’s message is simple: Do not automatically interpret increased opposition as evidence that God has abandoned you.
But Hinn also addressed another battle—one taking place inside the believer.
After Jesus told the father that all things were possible to the one who believes, the man cried out through his tears, “Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.”
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How could both statements be true?
Hinn says Scripture demonstrates that even great men of faith encountered moments of fear and uncertainty. Abraham feared for his life in Egypt. Moses resisted God’s command to confront Pharaoh. David defeated Goliath but later feared Saul would kill him. Elijah witnessed supernatural fire fall from heaven and then fled from Jezebel.
“We all struggle with it,” Hinn said. “We all have moments when we struggle. Do we really believe God will do this? Do we believe God will really answer that prayer?”
Yet Hinn believes the struggle itself reveals something important.
“The very fact we are aware of the fact we have unbelief and we fight it is a sign we’re alive in God,” he said.
That battle becomes particularly difficult when prayers remain unanswered for years.
Hinn recalled his mother praying over promises she believed God had given her about her children. She died without seeing some of them fulfilled.
“I am seeing prayers answered today that my mom prayed for me that she did not see when she was alive,” Hinn said.
His conclusion carries a powerful reminder for anyone exhausted from waiting: “Delay is not denial.”
Perhaps faith, then, is not pretending questions don’t exist. Sometimes faith looks like bringing those questions directly before Jesus.
The father in Mark 9 did not disguise his weakness. He admitted it. He cried out. And ultimately, he placed the impossible situation into Christ’s hands.
If you find yourself caught between believing God’s promise and fearing what you see around you, your battle with doubt does not have to be the end of your faith.
It may become the place where you finally pray the same desperate prayer that preceded a miracle 2,000 years ago:
Lord, I believe. Help my unbelief.
Abby Trivett is a writer and editor for Charisma Media and has a passion for sharing the gospel through the written word. She holds two degrees from Regent University, a B.A. in Communication with a concentration in Journalism and a Master of Arts in Journalism. She is the author of the newly released book, The Power of Suddenly: Discover How God Can Change Everything in a Moment. For interviews and media inquiries, please contact [email protected].