Charles Spurgeon Commentary Mark 9:21-22

"And he asked his father, How long time is it since this hath come unto him? And he said, From a child. And oft-times it hath cast him both into the fire and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do anything, have compassion on us, and help us." — Mark 9:21-22 (ASV)

And he asked his father, how long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

He put himself on a level with his child, and that is the best way to pray for your children: Have compassion on us, and help us. It will be compassion on you, as well as upon your son, if the Lord saves him.

And he asked his father, How long is it ago since this came unto him? And he said, Of a child. And ofttimes it hath cast him into the fire, and into the waters, to destroy him: but if thou canst do any thing, have compassion on us, and help us.

Help us, he cries, identifying himself with his child. Father, mother, when you pray, use the plural, as this man did, Have compassion on us and help us. That is the way to pray for every sinner whom you bring before Christ. Join yourself to the poor soul for whom you are pleading and say, Have compassion on us and help us.