Abiding Faith Prayer

Prayer

in this 12 The next morning as they were leaving Bethany, Jesus was hungry. 13 He noticed a fig tree in full leaf a little way off, so he went over to see if he could find any figs. But there were only leaves because it was too early in the season for fruit. 14 Then Jesus said to the tree, “May no one ever eat your fruit again!” And the disciples heard him say it.

Tyndale House Publishers, Holy Bible: New Living Translation (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2015), Mk 11:12–14.

story Jesus had been driving out people in the temple because they were buying and selling animals for sacrifices. He knocked over tables of Money changers and chairs and he stopped everyone using the temple as a marketplace. The scripture even says that he said, My temple will be called a house of prayer for all nations, but you have turned it into a den of thieves. And afterwards alot of the people then in turn wanted to kill Jesus.

New Living Translation Chapter 11

20 The next morning as they passed by the fig tree he had cursed, the disciples noticed it had withered from the roots up. 21 Peter remembered what Jesus had said to the tree on the previous day and exclaimed, “Look, Rabbi! The fig tree you cursed has withered and died!”

22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25 But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

Last week we talked about suffering a little bit. but we have hope, its just if you are putting your hope in the things of this world then that you are getting it wrong. The hope we have and the faith that we have is Jesus,

This week the focus is prayer. Think about how you suffer, and then think about how you pray. Think about the things you need to happen and then think abut how you pray.

In the aftermath of Jesus going off in the temple Peter comes up to him and says look at this tree, you cursed it and it has wither and died.

The tree is is symbolic to what was about to happen to the temple. The tree does not bear fruit so Jesus curses it, the temple does not bear fruit so jesus tears it away. And I would have to imagine Jesus still the next day being upset because of what was going on in the temple because these people were not following him.

Jesus wants us to follow him, believe in him and Have faith in God

Verse 22 he starts off with Have faith in God! You don’t have to resort to a second option to overcome your circumstance. You know how silly it would look if we prayed to our dog, or if we prayed to the cat. And I know some of yalls pets our pitiful. It would be silly to worship those things, but you think about the things you might be worshipping. putting before the Lord. Sports, band, friends, I have to see my friends because they will make me feel better, I have to play xbox or playstation because it will make me feel better, I have to go do this because its fun and it will make me feel better. I mean i cant be the only one thats had a bad time doing those things in hopes that it would make me feel better about whatever.

If we believe in God we ought to pray to him. Do you not think God can do for your life

New Living Translation Chapter 11

I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart

Believing in God and not praying to him is just wrong.

Its like practicing with the best player on your team but come game time having the best player on your team sitting out because you don’t think he can make it.

It just doesn’t make any sense. If you believe in God then believe in him when you pray.

Our lack of Prayer Represents Our Lack of Faith

this is how life changing prayer can be in our lives.

It helps us with our anxieties and worries

Philippians 4:6 “do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

It helps us when were tempted

Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””

And it helps us to honor God

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.”

And then Jesus says 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.

Now I think we read this verse and immediately think of God as a geanie. Ok God make me wealthy, make do good at my ball game, God help me to do whatever that doesnt really matter

This is how we should pray this how jesus tells us to pray

Matthew 6:9–13 “Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”

What Prayer Looks Like

1. Know who you are talking too

2. Thank him

3. Ask for Gods will

4. Tell him what you need

5. Ask for forgiveness

New Living Translation Chapter 11

But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”