Day 37: Confidence in prayer
Mark 11:24
Once when I was a student living in London, I was heading back to my flat from a Christian Union meeting at College. It had been pelting with rain non-stop for several hours. I had left the flat with the roof leaking, into a bucket in the loft, at the rate of a bucket full per hour. I had been out for three hours so, naturally speaking, there should have been a disastrous flood. My attitude when setting out was “It is good for me to go to the Christian Union meeting so I’ll leave the roof with God”! On arriving home at the flat I discovered polystyrene bits (used for loft insulation) on the carpet below the loft trap door. Someone had been in! On inspecting the bucket in the loft I found it to be empty! My enquiries revealed that no one with a key had been near the place during my absence. The only explanation I had was that God had sent an angel.
Our verse for today – Mark 11:24
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours”.
The context (v12 – v27, which is worth a read) is when Jesus comments on his cursing of the fig tree. The fig tree had no fruit (because it was not the season for figs) so Jesus cursed it and it withered. I believe Jesus is encouraging us that we shouldn’t draw back from believing him for a miracle because we aren’t 200% sure it’s the right thing. In a sense, all of our life is a prayer, as we trust God to work his will through us and try to please him. He wants us to know that he has our backs and when we prayerfully go out on a limb in faith to do good, he will back us up fully and often miraculously.
King David knew his God. He didn’t hesitate to confront a nine foot man of war and God backed him up to the hilt. He didn’t need a handful of stones, he only needed one. Ephesian 6:11 tells us to “Put on the full armour of God”, because the Christian life is spiritual warfare.
Let’s be like David and entrust ourselves to a faithful God as we step out in faith to accomplish his purposes and as we step out, let’s think of the fig tree! We can be assured that he will back us up with his miracle working power.
Will you join me in this prayer:
Father we love you. Thank you for the wonderful way that Jesus taught us about faith as we set out to serve your purposes. Fill us with fire from heaven as we face our Goliaths. Thank you that you always, always back us up to the hilt when we step out in faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Andrew Hargreaves
Connect Leader