DCLM Daily Manna 20 January 2021 – The Prayer God Answers
Topic: The Prayer God Answers
Text: Mark 11:12-26 (KJV)
12 And on the morrow, when they were come from Bethany, he was hungry:
13 And seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came, if haply he might find any thing thereon: and when he came to it, he found nothing but leaves; for the time of figs was not yet.
14 And Jesus answered and said unto it, No man eat fruit of thee hereafter for ever. And his disciples heard it.
15 And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves;
16 And would not suffer that any man should carry any vessel through the temple.
17 And he taught, saying unto them, Is it not written, My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer? but ye have made it a den of thieves.
18 And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.
19 And when even was come, he went out of the city.
20 And in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots.
21 And Peter calling to remembrance saith unto him, Master, behold, the fig tree which thou cursedst is withered away.
22 And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God.
23 For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.
25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.
26 But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.
Key Verse: “For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith” (Mark 11:23).
MESSAGE:
One of the greatest mistakes in prayer is to make yourself, your need or request, the centre of your supplication. Yet, it is when your prayers are centred on the interests of God that answers come in a manner that surprises people. In the end, not really how great our faith is that matters, but how much we use that faith to glorify God.
After riding triumphantly into Jerusalem, Jesus left the city to spend the night in Bethany. He became hungry as He returned the following morning. He thought expectantly that He could find some fruits to eat from a fig tree. But alas, it was all green leaves and no fruits. He placed a curse on the tree and proceeded to the temple.
Passing by the cursed fig tree the next morning, the disciples were surprised to see that it had dried up. In response to their amazement, Jesus admonished them to have faith in God, assuring them that if they doubted not, they could move mountains of problems through prayer. They must believe in God and forgive those who had offended them, if they hoped to receive answers to their prayers.
We have no need to make a show of moving literal mountains, but to attain fruitfulness and record uncommon accomplishments in the kingdom of God. Our prayers are answered when we believe that God can do anything we ask, seek His glory and the interest of His kingdom. We must hold no grudge against anyone, but readily forgive all offenses. We must seek the will of God above our temporal desires.
Thought For Today: Prayers centred on God’s interest result in rapid answers.
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
