Down the mountain and against the demon - for the Rosebud, Day 32

August 6th is The Transfiguration. As recorded in Mark 9:



After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them... Then a cloud appeared and enveloped them, and a voice came from the cloud: "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!"



Right after they come down the mountain, Jesus saves a young man from an afflicting spirit:



When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him.



"What are you arguing with them about?" he asked.



A man in the crowd answered, "Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not."

"O unbelieving generation," Jesus replied, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth.

Jesus asked the boy's father, "How long has he been like this?"

"From childhood," he answered. "It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us."

" 'If you can'?" said Jesus. "Everything is possible for him who believes."

Immediately the boy's father exclaimed, "I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!"

When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the evil spirit. "You deaf and mute spirit," he said, "I command you, come out of him and never enter him again." The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, "He's dead." But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up.

After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, "Why couldn't we drive it out?"He replied, "This kind can come out only by prayer."

• Lord Jesus Christ, we watch as spirits of affliction, poverty, frustration and destruction inflict suicide on the young people of the Rosebud Reservation. Help us!


• As you have shown us your glory on high, come down and show us your power on the earth.


• Deliver us from unbelief. Help us to know that there is a spiritual battle, and even more to know that you are our help.


• Help us to learn from you, seeking your guidance in all that we attempt.


• Father in Heaven, give us the Holy Spirit, as Jesus promises.


• Holy Spirit, keep us in prayer. Help us listen to Jesus in all things.

We ask all things in the Name of Jesus, the Father's beloved Son. Amen.