After coming down the mountain of transfiguration where Jesus revealed his divinity to his inner circle, they are immediately plunged into the clamoring crowd, full of accusing scribes and tormenting demons. His disciples had failed and are confused. Mark recounts this story to the first century church under persecution from a seemingly unstoppable opponent in the Roman empire, is there any hope? Has Jesus failed? Mark reminds them, and us, that we must rely on prayer, not our own strength and wisdom, to overcome the trials we face as we follow Jesus.