Scripture
Jesus Clears the Temple
15When they arrived back in Jerusalem, Jesus entered the Temple and began to drive out the people buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over the tables of the money changers and the chairs of those selling doves, 16and he stopped everyone from using the Temple as a marketplace.[1] 17He said to them, “The Scriptures declare, ‘My Temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations,’ but you have turned it into a den of thieves.”[2]
18When the leading priests and teachers of religious law heard what Jesus had done, they began planning how to kill him. But they were afraid of him because the people were so amazed at his teaching.
19That evening Jesus and the disciples left[3] the city.
20The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”
22Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.[4]”
Translation notes (4)
- 11:16 Or from carrying merchandise through the Temple.
- 11:17 Isa 56:7; Jer 7:11.
- 11:19 Greek they left; other manuscripts read he left.
- 11:25 Some manuscripts add verse 26, But if you refuse to forgive, your Father in heaven will not forgive your sins. Compare Matt 6:15.
I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours. Mark 11:24
Scripture warns us of the importance of faith when it comes to prayer. One of the pitfalls of our prayer lives is that many of us pray without much faith that God will answer our prayers. When we do not pray with faith, how can we expect God to be working? James explains that the person who doubts when they pray "should not expect to receive anything from the Lord" (James 1:7). Conversely, when we pray in faith, we can expect God to respond.
While on earth, Jesus taught His followers to pray expectantly for His answer. He said, "I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you've received it, it will be yours" (Mark 11:24). The first thing Jesus taught in this verse is that we can pray for anything. There is nothing too big or too small for us to pray about. God cares about it all. Just like a good parent wants to know what is on their child's mind, our Heavenly Father wants to know everything we care about. The second thing He taught is to expect a response. "Believe that you have received it," He taught, and "it will be yours" (verse 24). This certainly does not mean we will receive a "yes" to everything we ask for. We certainly know that sometimes God answers prayers with "no." Even Jesus' prayer for God the Father to let Him avoid suffering on the cross was answered with a "no." It does, however, mean that we should expect that God hears and answers every one of our prayers, even if we do not like the answer. We can also trust that God's answer is best as He is all-powerful and all-knowing. We can trust Him. This, my friends, requires that we believe God will faithfully respond to our prayers and provide for our needs.
My friend, when we pray, we can expect that God will listen and answer. Although sometimes our prayers will be answered with "no," we can expect that God's answers to our prayers are best and will all work out for our good and God's glory. As you pray, pray expectantly for God's response. Trust that He both hears and responds to your prayers.
Moving toward action
Yesterday, you were challenged to ask God for help in an area where you are desperate for him to work. Today, your challenge is to pray again. But be sure to pray in faith. Believe God will respond and work according to your good and His glory.
Going Deeper
Mark 11:15-25
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