Calling Out to God #24

In Mark 11,  we find Peter's recollection of two days after the Triumphal Entry on Palm Sunday. They are walking by a fig tree Jesus had cursed the day before, which overnight had withered and died. Peter was amazed, to which Jesus replied have faith, then gave this promise and exhortation about prayer:
23 Truly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says will come to pass, it will be done for him. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”

What a powerful, and misunderstood, promise.  Jesus says whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Some have thought that meant literally whatever you want, just ask and God is obligated to reward your faith and give it to you. On the negative side, many have believed and thought that this was a self-righteous weapon to use against someone they want to feel spiritually superior to, and be able to say: "God did not answer because you did not have enough faith." Worst case scenario: prayer is a weapon where you can wish catastrophe and even death on someone, and God will do it for you. But all those misunderstandings are cast out the window by Jesus' last statement: prayer is ineffective if you have not learned how to forgive like God has forgiven you. Forget the idea of blowing people away with your prayers like Jesus blew Peter's mind with the tree. What do you believe about God? Do you believe He is powerful enough to calm the sea or calm your heart? Do you believe He can do it overnight like wilting the tree or driving away the Assyrian army? Do you believe He can change those who have hurt you? Do you believe He can help you forgive? Do you believe He can forgive you for what you have done? It's not about how big your faith is; it's about how big your God is. So pray; pray away; talk to God about everything, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant to others, or how big and overwhelming it is. God fits there.