Scripture Reference: Mark 11:22-24

So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”

From Last Lesson: When we pray believing, we not only place our faith in God, but also in His will as expressed in His Word (John 17:17) and His promises (1 John 5:14-15).

Do you exercise faith in Christ when you pray (John 14:1)? Do you trust in His person and mediatorial work, looking for Him to meet all your needs as your Prophet, Priest, and King? Do you rest in His natures, states, and benefits as inseparable from your salvation? Are you concerned for the cause of Christ’s kingdom, the promotion of His Name and His truth, that these may shape your own desires and purposes, and consume your time and energy? God’s will becomes primary and your will becomes secondary when true faith is active in your life. A living faith will generate heartfelt desires to be conformed to His will.

Do you actively place your faith in Christ? A businessman who sends out trade ships believes they will return with rich merchandise. Are you looking for fruits today? Do you have godly expectations for this week? It is easy to focus on the mountains surrounding us: mountains of unbelief, worldly enticements, wrong doctrinal teachings and balance, and our own poor understandings and limited abilities. But we are also called to focus upon who God is in Christ, that is, One who is greater than all these mountains. We are called to pray believing, for Christ’s sake. This is possible only when we are praying according to God’s will, praying that His kingdom may come. Then we may believe, yes, are called to believe, that the mountains that stand in the way will be cast into the sea of oblivion.

Is not God faithful and trustworthy? Has He not faithfully cared for our families and churches? Has He not provided us with abundant testimony in His providence as well as in His Word? Do you truly believe in free and sovereign grace? Can the mighty mountains of your sin, unbelief, and hardened hearts withstand the almighty grace of God? Do you believe that God can cast your mountains of sin into the sea of His forgiveness by His free and sovereign grace? We are called to pray believing, and expectantly.

Unless otherwise noted, Scripture taken from the New King James Version®, NKJV © 1982 by Thomas Nelson.
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