Whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. – Mark 11:24
Can you remember the last time you prayed to God for something? Maybe you have already prayed for things this morning, or maybe you haven’t prayed in years. Regardless of how long it’s been, where was your heart when you were praying? Were you going through the motions because it’s the “Christian thing to do,” or did you whole-heartedly believe that God was going to give you what you requested?
Jesus addressed this very same question with His disciples in the book of Mark, chapter eleven. After His arrival into Jerusalem, Mark includes a rather strange interaction between Jesus and a fig tree. Jesus actually cursed the fig tree for not bearing fruit. Following this, the fig tree actually withered! Obviously, the disciples were amazed at this. Jesus used this lesson to teach His disciples about the power of prayer.
Prayer is a very powerful gift that God has given to you – if used correctly. As Jesus demonstrated with the fig tree, there are three main qualities necessary for powerful prayer: unwavering faith in God, confidence in God’s ability to answer, and forgiveness toward anyone who has wronged you. Prayer like this can move any mountain or wither any fig tree. Do you believe this?
As the nation approaches another election, you may feel powerless to do much. But the best thing you can do is to pray for it. Have faith in God, approach Him with confidence, and make sure your heart is right with those in your life. Then watch the mountains move and the fig trees wither.
Today’s Verse: Mark 11:24
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Matthew 7:7-20
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. 9 Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!
12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
13 “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. 14 For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
