“In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. 21 Peter remembered and said to Jesus, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!” 22 “Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. 23 “Truly[f] 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.” Mark 11.20-25
Today is the National Day of Prayer. According to their official website, “1952: On April 17, a bill initiated by Mr. Conrad Hilton of Hilton Hotels and Senator Frank Carlson of Kansas was passed (Public Law 82-324, Sec. 119) that: The President shall set aside and proclaim a suitable day each year, other than a Sunday, as a National Day of Prayer, on which the people of the United States may turn to God in prayer and meditation at churches, in groups, and as individuals” (https://www.nationaldayofprayer.org/about/history).
Our nation needs prayer more than ever. In light of growing political, social, and religious opposition, we have moved from a Christian to a post-Christian nation. Even still, the harvest is ripe for people to come to know the Lord. Today is a great reminder to pray for our nation, our government, and our people.
And speaking of prayer, Jesus says something pretty astounding in this segment of Scripture. He says, “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. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Whatever you ask for in prayer, he says, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. Whatever… believe… receive it… You know, however, that in truth, this could certainly be taken out of context. Jesus is coming from a place of oneness with the Father. I think what Jesus wants us to know and believe is that if we pray in accordance with God’s will for our lives, in step with the Lord, then it will be given to us. Matthew 6:33 says, “Seek first the Kingdom and his righteousness and all things will be added unto you.” But it begins with seeking first God, his Kingdom, and his way.
I have prayed many prayers that have gone unanswered, but in truth, I am not sure my motives were always pure or my heart always in tune with Christ. Once we come to a place of faithfulness to the Lord, then we find our prayers making the difference Jesus promised.
“O Lord God, on this National Day of Prayer, I pray for our nation and our world. I thank you for the time for which I have been born, for knowing and loving your Word, for following your ways, and for helping carry the torch to advance the Gospel. Thank you for loving me, saving me, and bringing peace and unity to my heart. Help our world, bless our nation. Bless my family and those God brings my way. Keep us from temptation that we might walk in step with the Son. For you are good and your love endures forever.” Amen