Prayer is an often-beguiling part of our faith. Many fail to pray because of unbelief in its effectiveness. While it is normal to feel this way, Fr. Ron Rolheiser writes that we need to reflect on this critical reminder: prayer is most important and powerful precisely when we feel it is most hopeless and most helpless. From the very beginning of his ministry, Jesus highlighted the need for humility. Today’s reading from Mark describes another exorcising of evil spirits by Jesus. His disciples are again amazed at what he can do, especially since they could not drive out the spirit in their earlier attempts. The Lord uses this event as another opportunity to teach the disciples the need for humility. He tells them these kinds of efforts will never be under their control. All their future ministry efforts in healing and deliverance will bear fruit only through reliance on God, as they bring all needs to the feet of the Lord in prayer. We need to pray precisely because we are helpless and precisely because it does seem hopeless.