On His way to cleanse the temple, Jesus saw a fig tree. Although it wasn’t the season for the tree to produce figs, the leaves indicated that there were figs on the tree.
“May no one ever eat of your fruit again!” Mark 11:14
Jesus and the disciples walked on to the temple; He cleansed the temple of the money-changers and merchants and taught. That evening, they left Jerusalem.
The next morning, Jesus and the disciples walked back to Jerusalem and passed the fig tree. It was withered, from the roots up. Peter marveled, and Jesus took the opportunity to teach the disciples the key to prayer.
“Then Jesus said to the disciples, ‘Have faith in God.’” Mark 11:22
Faith-filled prayer moves mountains.
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When our prayers are faith-filled, we know that God will answer our prayers. Faith-filled prayers align with God’s will.
7 Keys to Faith-filled Prayer
- Persistent prayer. A friend prayed for my health for 40 years. God healed me of fibromyalgia several years before we connected on Facebook. God answered her prayers! “Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matthew 7:7-8
- Group prayer. Have you prayed with a small group Bible study that the Holy Spirit would teach you and after the Bible study, you were surprised by what you learned? “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you.” Matthew 18:19
- Values-based prayer. A values-based prayer asks in Jesus’ name, in accordance with His character, His values, and His essence. “You can ask for anything in my name, and I will do it, so that the Son can bring glory to the Father.” John 14:13
- Abiding prayer. When a husband and wife love each other, they study each other. They know the values, character, and priorities of the other, and they love what that person stands for. They abide in each other and want what the other would want, and they receive it. “But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted!” John 15:7
- Forgiving prayer. Faith-filled prayer that abides in Jesus and His words forgives. Jesus came into the world to bring forgiveness and eternal life. How can we not forgive others? “But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.” Mark 11:25
- Confessing prayer. We are sinners, and we must admit it to others and to God. Together, we hold each other accountable. Our prayers make a difference. “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.” James 5:16
- Pleasing prayer. Do you want to please God? First, we have to know how to please God. Abiding in Jesus, knowing Him and His words, forgiving others, confessing our sins, seeking Him, and joining with others in prayer pleases Him. “And we are confident that he hears us whenever we ask for anything that pleases him.” 1 John 5:14
Father of Lights, shine Your light on our understanding of prayer. Forgive us for neglecting our prayer lives. We want to pray according to Your holy and perfect will. Teach us to pray. Teach us how to please You in our prayers. We want to know You as Jesus knows You. We seek Your face. We ask, we seek, we knock, and we wait for the door to open. Throw the mountains of misunderstanding and neglect into the sea. Replace them with the fruit of righteousness, love, and prayers that please You. In the holy name of Jesus, we pray. Amen.
What insights do you have about prayer?
Please share them in the comments below.
Featured Photo by Jametlene Reskp on Unsplash
