THE STORY OF JESUS: Mark 11:20-25
“Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
This statement seems plain and clear: ask, believe, and you WILL receive!
Sounds like a formula for success… so why doesn’t it seem to work?
One reason may be that we just don’t believe enough.
To believe like this is not easy, there will always be doubts and ‘impurities’ in our faith.
Maybe one day, when all things are restored, and we live like Jesus, this will be true.
Another possible reason is that something else may not be right in us.
Like lack of forgiveness (v.25), or selfish intent in our request (James 4:3).
We need to remember that God’s ultimate desire is relationship, fellowship, love.
Prayer is not a technique to get what you want, but a harmony of heart, mind and will.
In that context, when we are living in harmony with God and others, God can answer our requests.
Jesus is not offering a formula for success, but a picture of eternity, of what restored life will be like.
So united in love that we will do what He asks, and He will do what we ask.
Until then, we move towards that goal, growing in faith, taking steps towards selfless maturity.
Until then, God will not give us EVERYTHING we ask for, but EVERYTHING we need.
Everything we need to be drawn back into His heart and His love, to be fully restored as friends.
Pray for this, and you will not be disappointed, for THIS is what God wants for ‘all nations’.
Pray for His Spirit in your heart, and He will not refuse you!
“How much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13)
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, one day we will experience this kind of harmony, when our wills are so united in love that we will do what You ask, and You will do what we ask. Until then, keep answering the prayer of our heart to be fully restored to You.