Scripture
“ 'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 'Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. 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 11:22-25)
Observation
Webster’s dictionary defines the word “prerequisite” as “something that you officially must have or do before you can have or do something else; a requirement.” Many of us will have been exposed to the concept of a prerequisite as students in school. For example, you can’t take Trigonometry before first taking Geometry; Geometry is a prerequisite class that you must take in order to be eligible and qualified to take Trigonometry. When thinking about the prerequisites of prayer, many of us immediately think of faith. In order to pray, we must have faith and believe that God is listening and hears us when we call. In this passage, Jesus tells us that if we believe and pray with a posture of faith, even the mountains can be moved. Faith is a prerequisite to prayer.
While many of us know we must have faith in order to pray, we tend to forget a second, important prerequisite to prayer: forgiveness. Jesus gives us a stark warning that we must also assume a posture of forgiveness when praying. He says, “if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” In other words, if we are to receive forgiveness from the Father, we must be willing to forgive those who have wronged us. As we are to the father, our adversaries are to us. As we are imperfect sinners who receive forgiveness from the Father when we have wronged Him, we must also forgive those who have wronged us.
This does not mean that failing to forgive and reconcile with others will cause us to lose our salvation, nor does it mean that we can earn salvation or forgiveness by forgiving others. There is nothing that we could do or say to earn salvation; it is a gift that God freely gives to us because He is good. Rather, the point Christ makes is that faith means nothing without action and believing is pointless without doing. We must not be hypocrites. As God forgives us, cares for us, and loves us, we must do our best to forgive others, care for others, and love others. When we pray––and when we live––we must assume both a posture of faith and a posture of forgiveness.
Application
Is there anything blocking your faith today? Likewise, is there anyone who you need to forgive? If not, then today, will you choose to experience the fullness of prayer? Will you pray full of faith and forgiveness knowing that nothing is impossible for Him. After all, even the mountains can be moved when we pray with genuine, fervent faith.
However, if you answered “yes” to one or both of these questions, can I encourage you to take the first step toward reconciliation? I’ll be the first to admit that forgiveness can be extremely hard. It’s especially difficult when people have caused us insurmountable pain, damage, or hurt. Begin with prayer. Ask God to give you the strength, ability, and perspective to forgive. Depend on God, knowing that in Him, fullness of joy and wholeness of restoration is possible. Remember the forgiveness and love that He so freely has given, is giving, and will always give to you. Even if the other person has not asked you for forgiveness, be the first to forgive them in your heart anyways. God sees your pain and loves you too much to leave you here. He wants you to be healed and restored. However, it begins with forgiveness and surrender to Him. While it might take time, know that as you take each step toward forgiveness––no matter how big or how small that might be––your burden will begin to lift off your shoulders and your wounds will begin to heal.
Prayer
Lord,
Thank You for Your love and thank you for Your forgiveness. We could never earn it, nor do we deserve it, yet in Your goodness, You so freely give it to us. In the same way You have forgiven us, help us to forgive others. As You unconditionally love us, give us the strength to love others, especially those that have wronged us. Restore our souls, refresh our minds, heal our wounds in a way that only You can. Hear our cry and make us whole again.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen
