Our scripture this morning is Mark 11:24-25 (ESV).
Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 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.
Jesus speaks of the power of prayer, and the things necessary for it to be effective in our lives. In Matthew 7:7 He tells us “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” It is this kind of continual connection to God that makes prayer part of what we need to do every day.
Faith and forgiveness are essential to effective prayer. Jesus tells us to “believe that you have received it”, which is our faith in action. He also warns that we must forgive others in order to receive God’s forgiveness. This is part of the model prayer He taught us: “and forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.”
Paul writes “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ” (Philippians 2:5). If we want to follow Jesus, we must think and act as He did. By treating others with love as He showed us, we can be part of the Kingdom work to which we are called.
Loving Lord, we are sorry for the times we ask for selfish things. Bless us to be eager in sharing Your love with all Your children. Amen.
