22. The spirit often throws him into a fire or into water to kill him. If you can do anything, please have pity on us and help us.”
23. Jesus said to the father, “Why did you say ‘if you can’? All things are possible for the one who believes.”
24. Immediately the father shouted, “I do believe. Help me to believe more!”
25. Jesus saw that all the people were running there to see what was happening. So he spoke to the evil spirit. He said, “You evil spirit that makes this boy deaf and stops him from talking—I command you to come out of him and never enter him again!”
26. The evil spirit screamed. It caused the boy to fall on the ground again, and then it came out. The boy looked as if he was dead. Many people said, “He is dead!”
27. But Jesus took hold of his hand and helped him stand up.
28. Then Jesus went into the house. His followers were alone with him there. They said, “Why weren’t we able to force that evil spirit out?”
29. Jesus answered, “That kind of spirit can be forced out only with prayer.”