Mark 11 - Does God Really Answer Every Prayer?
Verses of the Day
“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 24 Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 25 And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.”
Commentary
The disciples were amazed that the fig tree Jesus had cursed while going to the temple, had withered by the time they got back to it the next day. Jesus uses this example to teach the disciples of more about prayer. There are some challenging aspects to Jesus' teaching here.
First, he says that anyone does not doubt what they are asking for, it will be done for them. He uses an interesting example, "Go throw yourself into the sea, and does not doubt in their heart it will be done for them."
While Jesus can do anything, and I have no doubt if he wanted to, he tell a mountain to throw itself into the sea and it would be done for him. But, I don't think Jesus is using this example literally with his disciples. I think it would be a serious mistake to tell someone if they really believed they could tell a mountain to go into a sea. If it didn't happen it was because they didn't have a enough faith to do it
Here is where it is important to understand the historical context of a given bible text.
Mountain was a popular figure of speech for any insurmountable problem; Jesus said that as we believe, God could overcome any obstacle. (Guzik)
“The phrase about removing mountains was a quite common Jewish phrase. It was a regular, vivid phrase for removing difficulties.” (Barclay)
So, what is Jesus teaching them about prayer then?
He is teaching them about the necessity of faith when we pray. If we pray but don't really believe God can do what we prayer for, we are not praying in faith. Sometimes we call this a "hail Mary" prayer. Again Jesus says something else that could be misinterpreted.
"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
Again the wrong conclusion would be to say if you don't get what you are asking for in prayer, you must not truly believe God can do it.
Can you imagine if everyone who has prayed for a sick child who died were told taught this? I think this would be bordering on spiritual abuse. Could you imagine if God the Father answered Jesus' prayer in the Garden,
"If it is possible remove this cup from me?"
If God had answered that prayer, Jesus would not have gone to the cross and we would still be dead in our sins. So then what is Jesus saying.
Prayer is an exercise in faith. In fact, I think God stretches our faith when he does not give us what we want right away. You can pray a prayer in faith but if it is not God's will for you, he will always answer your prayer in one of three ways. The answer will be either "no", "slow", or "grow". What do I mean by this?
No, means that it would not be good for you for God to answer this prayer, even though you don't understand it at that time.
Slow, might mean it might be God's will but it is not the right timing. Like in life, "Timing is everything!" Here is a great phrase to remember in regard to prayer, "Your will, your way, your time."
Grow, might mean that it is not God's will for you to have this prayer answered right now, because you are not mature enough to handle it. This could be money, maybe a relationship, or something else we are not ready for.
As you can see there are many reasons God might not answer a prayer, but this doesn't mean we should not believe in every prayer we pray in Jesus' name that it can be done if it is God's will. Just like any Father, God wants us to trust in him to do anything. But he also wants us to trust Him when He doesn't answer it in the way or timing we would like it.
Application
1. Is there anything you are praying for right now where you are not seeing God's answer? Are you believing God could really give you what you are asking? Could it be the answer is no, slow, or grow?
2. Where do you need more mountain moving faith in your prayer life? Remember this is not about you conjuring up more faith, but allowing the faith has given you to remember God ALWAYS answers prayer.
3. Spend time praying now for something you need from God right now. Trust in God that His sovereign will be done. God always knows what is best for you.
For some prayers that are not answered we might not find out what God didn't answer it until we get to heaven!
"Oh the peace we often forfeit because we do not take it to the Lord in prayer!"- 19th Century Hymn "What a friend we have in Jesus!"
Prayer of the Day
Jesus, thank you for the gift of prayer that you have given us. Give us to the faith trust in God's power to do anything. Help us to trust when we do not get the answer that we are looking for that you are a good Father. You give us what we need in your way and in your time! Amen!
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