Prayer?
I have read the words out of Mark 11 multiple times . . . I have even taught those same words numberous times, but to be honest, I just don't understand them . . . I could use a little help.
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in paryer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
I have prayed a long time for things, and had the purest faith that it would happen, and it didn't. Jesus words here confuse me, we can come up with lots of christian answers with time line, or God giving us the best for us. But who said it was best for the mountain to be in the sea? And how do you get around statements "Whatever . . . and it will be yours."
I want to believe . . . help my unbelief . . . I am confused.
"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in paryer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."
I have prayed a long time for things, and had the purest faith that it would happen, and it didn't. Jesus words here confuse me, we can come up with lots of christian answers with time line, or God giving us the best for us. But who said it was best for the mountain to be in the sea? And how do you get around statements "Whatever . . . and it will be yours."
I want to believe . . . help my unbelief . . . I am confused.
3 Comments:
I guess we have to believe that it was indeed God's best for "the mountain to be moved into the sea."
It confuses me too.
Looking at it from the standpoint of a parent, I want to give my children only the best. If they ask me for soemthing and I don't think it truly is in their best interest, then I will say no. Otherwise I love to give them what they ask, and I want them to continue asking. I want them to feel that they have the freedom to always ask, and the belief that I will respond in their favor.
I'm still confused though.
I wonder if it points to our unbelief? Jesus says that if we ask for the mountian...and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen...it will.
Maybe our faith is weak. Do I really believe that if I pray for Mt. Hood to move to the sea that it would happen...that it would? Do I even want it to happen?
Or maybe Jesus is speaking hyperbolicly. Maybe he's trying to say that faith in God is powerful...that God is powerful.
I don't know...good questions.
I guess I have always had similar thought to Brian's. But you're right - the word "whatever" has big implications. I like Aaron's comment about possible hyperbole. Whether or not that's the case, he's right - real faith in God is powerful.
Good questions and honesty, Jon.
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