Faith in Prayer | Mark 11:20–26


What we’ve seen until this point is fruitless faith, which Jesus demonstrates by cursing the fig tree and then cleansing the temple (vv. 12–18).  Now evening, He and His disciples leave the city (v. 19).  They apparently came back the way they came, because the next morning, they pass by the same fig tree.  Jesus uses its withered state an opportunity to teach on faith in prayer.

The picture of faithless prayer (vv. 20–22).  Jesus cursed this fig tree because it was in full leaf that lacked fruit (vv. 12–14), and He cleansed the temple because it was busy with everything but prayer (vv. 15–17).  People can be “spiritual,” engaged with religious activities, but still not have the fruit of true faith.  Jesus’s disciples need their faith to be in God (v. 22), because faith isn’t dependent on the faithfulness and deeds of the one praying, but on God.

The promise of faith-filled prayer (vv. 23–24).  Jesus uses an old-world image of the impossible—moving mountains—to speak of the kind of faith they needed in God.  God is obviously omnipotent, able to not only curse the tree through Christ, but also to bless the one praying.  At no point is He telling them their faith accomplishes great feats—but their prayer requests “will be granted” by God.  He recognizes the faith of someone praying to Him, not according to their own lusts, but according to His Word.  As such, faith-filled prayer is prayer founded and focused on God and His will—a prayer He is sure to honor.

The prerequisite of faith-filled prayer (vv. 25–26).  The prayers of the Pharisees and the rest in the temple could not please God because they were plotting against Christ.  If Christ’s disciples want their prayers to be effective, they should remember how the Lord has taught us to pray—“forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors” (Mt 6:12).  Those refusing to forgive don’t have faith in God and shouldn’t expect forgiveness from Him.  May He give us grace to overcome our hate!

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