Word@Work 132 - Mark 11:22-25
Published: Wed, 05/28/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 11:22-25 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." (NIV)
This passage starts with a command, "Have faith in God"! Jesus was teaching Peter, and the others, not to be surprised that God's words are followed by action. In his future role as a leader of the early church, Peter would need to speak out God's Word - and expect that God would act in power. The key is in the kind of relationship they were to have with Jesus Christ.
Although Jesus has commended the father of a demonised boy for his weak faith (cf Mark 9:24), He now is commanding total, unswerving and undoubting faith. There was no need for tentative approaches to the throne of grace: the Lord expected His team to come with boldness and confidence. When we are assured that our prayers are absolutely in line with His will - the answer is given in power. This is not because we psyche ourselves up to believe something, but because we know that God has promised it - and we believe Him. It is not our prayer that 'works', but God who works powerfully in response to our believing prayer. If we believe, we will pray. Likewise, if we believe in God's forgiveness, we demonstrate our faith by forgiving others.
Tepid praying - mirrors lukewarm faith. Believing, is monitored by the things that demonstrate faith - obedience and trusting prayer. The old hymn has a good line, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey"! That is the theory; now today is the day for the practical class!
Prayer: Almighty God, please teach me how to pray and live in line with Your will; and in the confidence that comes from growing in my relationship with you - knowing Your Word that reveals Your character. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
This passage starts with a command, "Have faith in God"! Jesus was teaching Peter, and the others, not to be surprised that God's words are followed by action. In his future role as a leader of the early church, Peter would need to speak out God's Word - and expect that God would act in power. The key is in the kind of relationship they were to have with Jesus Christ.
Although Jesus has commended the father of a demonised boy for his weak faith (cf Mark 9:24), He now is commanding total, unswerving and undoubting faith. There was no need for tentative approaches to the throne of grace: the Lord expected His team to come with boldness and confidence. When we are assured that our prayers are absolutely in line with His will - the answer is given in power. This is not because we psyche ourselves up to believe something, but because we know that God has promised it - and we believe Him. It is not our prayer that 'works', but God who works powerfully in response to our believing prayer. If we believe, we will pray. Likewise, if we believe in God's forgiveness, we demonstrate our faith by forgiving others.
Tepid praying - mirrors lukewarm faith. Believing, is monitored by the things that demonstrate faith - obedience and trusting prayer. The old hymn has a good line, "Trust and obey, for there's no other way, to be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey"! That is the theory; now today is the day for the practical class!
Prayer: Almighty God, please teach me how to pray and live in line with Your will; and in the confidence that comes from growing in my relationship with you - knowing Your Word that reveals Your character. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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