I’ve thought a lot about asking and receiving lately. Well, if I’m honest, I’d say that I’ve been thinking about this topic for many years now. I ponder it and ask. I wonder and ask. I feel full of bold faith, and I ask. When I read scripture like the following, I feel extra frustrated because it shows me that I’m still missing something.
Early in the morning, as Jesus was on His way back to the city, He was hungry. Seeing a fig tree by the road, He went up to it but found nothing on it except leaves. Then He said to it, “May you never bear fruit again!” Immediately, the tree withered. When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked. Jesus replied, “Truly I tell you, if you have faith and do not doubt, not only can you do what was done to the fig tree, but also you can say to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and it will be done. If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” Matthew 21:18-22
I’ve heard many pastors and friends say that we will receive answered prayers only if our prayers are aligned with God’s thoughts, or only if they are righteous prayers, etc…but in the above verse, Jesus cursed a fig tree for not having fruit. That doesn’t seem like a truly pressing problem to me. But His words caused it to wither. Also, He says right after that if we believe, we will receive whatever we ask for in prayer. Whatever means whatever. I even compared translations and they all say “whatever” or something very similar. So what does this mean? It means whatever…only if I believe. Oh Lord, help me in my unbelief. Here we read it again in this verse…
Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask Me for anything in my name, and I will do it. John 14:12-14
…You may ask Me for anything in my name, and I will do it…
When we take scripture at face value, we are often left with a glaring realization that we are the ones not following through, not God.
I feel full of faith, but obviously I still have doubt…otherwise, I’d see far more answered prayers, miracles, healings, etc. He did say we’d do even greater things that He did. I believe Him. I live my life anticipating this. I won’t rest until I press through whatever shadow of doubt I’m living under, to receive the fullness of a life lived in agreement with heaven.
How about you? Do you also want to see God in all His glory move in your life? If so, then I encourage you to hit the ground, pray and ask God to break open belief in your heart. Will you join me in prayer?
God, remove any doubt I have in my heart and mind. Lead me in faith. Forgive me for my unbelief. I am so sorry. I truly want to live a life full of confidence in You. Help me to believe. Remove fear, doubt, unworthiness, and anything else that is blocking the door to my answered prayers. I surrender all. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
365 Days in the Presence 