Believe. Pray. Forgive.

GETTING STARTED

I am convinced that, spiritually, Christians live beneath our means. We exalt our religion, but do we exercise that religion? We proclaim that we serve an omnipotent and awesome God. We build edifices in which to worship him that are grand and elaborate. But then, when it comes to believing that God can heal us, restore our marriage, unite our country, or use us to advance his kingdom around the world, we limit him to our undernourished faith and inconsiderable capabilities. Instead of petitioning God in anger, hopelessness, and despair, what if God has already gifted us everything we need through the power of prayer?

  • What seemingly impossible things are you praying about?

READ THE WORD: MARK 11:20-26 (ESV)

20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away to its roots. 21 And Peter remembered and said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree that you cursed has withered.” 22 And Jesus answered them, “Have faith in God.23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

English Standard Version, copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

DIGGING DEEPER

  1. What evidence of Jesus’ curse on the fig tree (in Mark 11:12-14) did the disciples see? How did Jesus, in verse 22, explain his power to have the effect it did on the tree overnight?
  2. What was Jesus’ lesson to the disciples about the fig tree and the mountain?
  3. What did Jesus say about forgiveness in these verses, and why is it an important part of prayer?
  4. Who in your life do you need to forgive or ask forgiveness from? What doubt or unbelief do you need to pray about and ask God to increase your faith in him for?

RESPOND TO GOD

Christians have the power to do mountain-sized miracles and turn hearts toward God across the nations. But we can only do it if we are empowered though our faith in Jesus Christ. Through faith in prayer, God gives us the power to love and show others mercy. God forgives us of our sin and hatefulness toward him, and he requires that we show the same grace and forgiveness toward others. What better way for God’s will to be done, to advance God’s kingdom and do great things for him, than by living a life of love, peace, and strong faith through prayer?

  • Ask God to empower you with faith and to give you confidence to love, forgive, and do great and impossible things in Jesus’ name.