Two-minute read.
Jesus has exposed fruitless religion with the withering of the fig tree. He cleansed the temple by driving out the money changers. And then the Lord called us to wholehearted faith by speaking to the mountains in our lives. Now the Savior teaches us about real prayer, believing that you have received it, and childlike boldness. God’s not talking about manifesting things, positive thinking, or emotional hype. Jesus wants us to have confidence rooted in the Father, built on relational trust. When we have that kind of faith, we trust the Lord’s character so deeply that we believe before we see.
As a child, I loved to sit on my father’s lap. Monday nights, when Little House on the Prairie’s theme music began to play, you could find me cuddled on Dad’s lap, ready to romp the hills with Laura. When I asked my father for things, I never doubted he would provide. Sometimes Dad said no, and when he did, I believed he had a good reason. I trusted my father implicitly and never doubted him because of our close relationship. Knowing how much my Dad loved me, I had full confidence in him and, with childlike boldness, would ask him for my heart’s desires.
God wants us to approach Him the same way. He wants us to cuddle up on His lap and tell Him our hearts’ desires. We know, without a doubt, how much the Lord loves us. He sent His only Son to die for us so we can have a relationship with Him. The Almighty will answer our prayers; we can have confidence in Him. And when our hearts align with the Savior’s, we’ll receive what we ask for in His name.
However, just like I didn’t control my earthly father, we don’t control God. Sometimes, we ask for things that will harm us, and God says no. He doesn’t give us every desire instantly; the Lord’s not a magic genie in the sky who grants our every wish.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”
1 John 5:14
When we ask the Lord for things according to His will, aligned with His character, having forgiven others, He will say yes. Faith doesn’t force outcomes; it surrenders them to the Savior, trusting Him completely. Jesus wants us to move from empty religion to inviting bold, believing prayer. Mark, chapter eleven, takes us from judging (leaves without fruit) to cleansing (Temple without prayer) to empowerment (faith without doubt). The Savior teaches us how to trust our heavenly Father, surrender to Him, and develop mountain-moving faith.
Journal Questions:
What would bold, childlike belief look like for you?
How can you align your heart with God’s?
In what areas do you struggle to surrender to the Lord?
Application:
Pray one prayer today without hedging or minimizing it.
