Matthew 21 - 7.21.26

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew 21:22

“Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea’, and it will be done.  If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.”

OBSERVATION:

Right before Jesus spoke this to His disciples, He was hungry, and had gone up to a fig tree, and saw that there was nothing on it except leaves.  He spoke to it and said, “May you never bear fruit again!”  Immediately the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed, and asked Jesus how the fig tree withered so quickly.  Jesus taught them about the power of prayer.

APPLICATION:

Faith combined with prayer unlocks the door to God’s blessings. Jesus wasn’t referring to any kind of asking, He emphasized believing.  “…When you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.”  (James 1:6-8).

Doubt hinders our prayers.  When we ask in faith, it requires not only our words, but our heart that fully trusts in God. 

PRAYER:  Dear God, I pray You will help me to trust in You fully and completely.  May my prayers be aligned with Your heart.  Thank You for being so caring and attentive to answer every request that I have brought to You in faith.  Help me not to ask selfish prayers, but to trust and rely on Your wisdom, and to have unwavering trust in Your power and perfect timing.  In Jesus name I pray, amen.

- Robin Orefice