12/25

Matthew 21:22

²²And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."

Jesus had gone to a fig tree looking for a fig to eat, but it had none. He cursed it, and it withered. The disciples were amazed. They had seen Jesus heal all kinds of illness and deformities, even still the wind and waves, but this was different. Some people believe that the fig tree was symbolic of Israel. When God came via the life of Jesus looking for spiritual fruit, He found none.

Jesus told His disciples that if they had faith they could even command a mountain to be cast into the sea. John clarifies for us the parameters of this power in one of his letters. He writes, "If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us" (1John 5:14). The faith must be faith in something. If it is to be all powerful, it must be in God and His will in a given situation.

Jesus may have been speaking figuratively, but the discussion centered on a very physical fig tree. I haven't heard of any mountains jumping into an ocean. That would cause quite a tidal wave. I have heard many supernatural answers to prayers of faith and personally witnessed many. It is in prayer that we find God's will. From there we can pray in faith and watch God do the impossible.

Prayer: Lord, teach me to discern Your will and know Your voice so that I may pray Your will into the earth.