Prayer is relational. It’s not just telling God what to do about our past, present, and future. It’s about allowing our relationship with Him to positively affect all of our relationships. Prayer is our way to talk to and listen to God. At times He may say “yes” or other times “wait” or other times “I was going to give this to you later but because you asked, you can have it now” and sometimes he may say “no.”
No matter His response, we can trust Him.
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This episode was filmed in India where those who follow Jesus are sharing about the One True God to people who believe in many gods much like the Christians in Rome that Mark was writing.
Video:
Mark 11 Notes:
When talking with John and James in Mark 10, Jesus shares with them that he knows they will end up living a life worthy of the calling they received even in that moment they were being selfish and short sighted.
In Mark 11, Jesus sends the disciples on a mission to get a donkey. With very specific instructions, the disciples discover everything just as Jesus described it would be.
It’s remarkable to consider God knows about our future. He loves us and continues to guide us even as we have the freedom to follow Him and His ways or do our own thing.
Later in the chapter Jesus explains this about prayer:
“Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. 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 11:24-25 NIV)
Prayer is relational. It’s not just telling God what to do about our past, present, and future. It’s about allowing our relationship with Him to positively affect all of our relationships. Prayer is our way to talk to and listen to God. At times He may say “yes” or other times “wait” or other times “I was going to give this to you later but because you asked, you can have it now” and sometimes he may say “no.”
A pastor out of New York City named Tim Keller once said: “God answers our prayers the way we would, if we knew everything He knows.”
Jesus enters the city with the people praising Him. He clears out the Temple. He teaches an important lesson prayer through a fig tree. The religious leaders also questioned Jesus’ authority.
What kind of authority does Jesus have in your life?
What in your future do you need to entrust to Him?
