We all love the idea of asking for something and receiving it just like we asked for it. But as believers, we tend to hesitate, thinking that perhaps we are intruding on the goodness of God, don’t we? Our story follows the story of the cursed fig tree, where Peter recognized the effect of Jesus simply speaking a word to the tree that bore no fruit. It’s almost like Jesus was saying ‘and that’s just the beginning of what you can do, if you have faith’. So let’s consider our level of faith today as we meditate on the Scripture.

DATE WRITTEN: Tuesday, 2021-06-08
WRITTEN AT: Kissimmee, FL

BY: Ed Algreen

SCRIPTURE FROM: Mark 11:24-25
TRANSLATION: Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)

BIBLE TEXT: 24 For this reason I am telling you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]. 25 And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him and [g]let it drop (leave it, let it go), in order that your Father Who is in heaven may also forgive you your [own] failings and shortcomings and let them drop.

APPLICATION: A child who has developed faith in their dad, will think nothing of jumping from a wall into the arms of their dad, confident that they will not hit the ground. Jesus knew that the Father is also just as faithful in listening to His children and responding to the faith and confidence His children have developed in Him. But how do we develop that faith and trust? I had a good friend who would seriously ask God to direct him to his car keys whenever he could not find them. Sounds petty, and perhaps too trivial to bother God with? Well, his idea was that knowing He could trust God for even the small things in life, helped increase his confidence and faith as he asked God to help him in the major concerns of life. Friends, our God is not just available to us as a last resort, or for major disasters in life, but He loves us and cares about every little circumstance in our life. You see, most things that we ask God for will probably seem minor to Him because of His abilities, regardless of what rating we place on our problem. I believe that our greatest challenge is that we are often afraid that God may not respond in the manner that we tell Him we want our prayers answered. But remember, He is God and we are not. The reason we are asking Him, is because the issue is beyond our ability. So if we ask for something, and He chooses to decline our request, or answer it differently, we must remember that His ways our not our ways. But let’s rest assured that His ways are always best, for our ultimate good, and for His glory. So let’s remind ourselves today that we are to praise our Mighty God with all answers to our prayers. The additional tip given to Peter and the disciples was that our requests should never be without thought, and in all seriousness. Jesus said that if we stand before Him to ask for something, be sure that we have no outstanding issue with our fellow man. For God will consider our action towards our Brother in how He will respond to us. If we have been forgiving, He will forgive us; If we have given much, He will give to us; If we have been loving, He will show much love to us. When we stand before God with a clear conscience between us and our fellow man, then we may have faith in our God and willing to trust Him with our concerns. To reiterate: ‘whatever you ask for in prayer, believe (trust and be confident) that it is granted to you, and you will [get it]’.

BLESSING(S) NOTED: It’s not just a kid in a candy store that’s given everything they ask for who will be excited and extremely happy. Jesus said that if we ask in faith, believing, and with a right heart, we will get what we ask for! Only our God has that kind of love and unlimited power!

PRAYER: In deepest appreciation we say thank You Lord for Your amazing love and Your kindness and mercy to us. Please continue to bless us, and may we always sing Your praises, whether You give things to us in the fashion we asked for or not. You are all-knowing and all-powerful. There are so many circumstances in life over which we have no resolve, other than what You point us to. Be glorified in us today dear Lord. AMEN!