7/28/10 Mark 11:22-26 Power of Prayer

22 "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. 23 "Truly I tell you, if you say to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and do not doubt in your heart but believe that what you say will happen, it will be done for you. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25-26 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

(Mountain falling into sea)

Thoughts: This passage is about the power of prayer.  Jesus had just withered a fig tree in a curse.  There are those who think that when humans pray it interferes with God's plan.  But since God knows all when He makes His plans- including our prayers and His answer- He includes such answers in His plan.  God is active interacting with creation- it is not that God has set His plan in motion a long time agoand is gone- and any prayer is a pesky burden on Him.  The image Jesus uses is of a woman asking a judge for mercy, or begging a neighbor for bread.  Jesus makes some grandiose claims- moving mountains and "whatever you ask."  But such claims are tied to a God who loves us, cares for us in His providence.

Prayer: Give me grace, O Lord, to have faith in you and your ability to answer prayer.