Matthew 21:18-22

18 Early in the morning, as Jesus was on his way back to the city, he was hungry. 19 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.

20 When the disciples saw this, they were amazed. “How did the fig tree wither so quickly?” they asked.

21 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. 22 If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.” - Matthew 21:18-22

Dear Jesus,

While you were living perfectly on mission for me, you prayed that a fruitless fig tree would die and it did. When your disciples marveled you reminded them that when we are living out our lives we can pray in faith expecting to be answered. It was only one point you were making about prayer. In other places you told us as long it was the Father's will, we'd be answered how we wished and that you wanted us to seek the kingdom of grace above all things. Still, this promise that I could pray for amazing things and would see them happen is intriguing to me. You know the desires I have for so many things to happen for people I know and love. I'm praying for them now. I want to see them change and grow and come to faith. I have faith and I don't want to doubt. So, hear my prayers and do what you promised. Make them come true for the benefit of those I pray for and for all those who know them.

Amen

Pastor Don Patterson

God is serious when he asks us to pray for his help. It's not a game for him. It's real life.