"The Powerful Potential of Our Prayers" (Mark 11:20-24)

Our passage reads, “As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered.” And Jesus answered saying to them, Have faith in God. Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, be taken up and cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it will be granted him. Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they will be granted you” (Mark 11:20-24). The context of Mark chapter 11 tells the story of Jesus’ final few days prior to going to the cross. Chapter 11 tells us about three successive visits that Christ made to the temple in Jerusalem during this final week. On the second visit, we’re told that as Jesus came again to the temple, He and His disciples saw a fig tree along the way. The fig tree was filled with leaves, having the promise of bearing figs! However, when Jesus came looking for fruit, He found none. The tree was deceptive, and Jesus cursed it with these words, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” And His disciples were listening” (Mark 11:14). This action was symbolic of His wayward people Israel! With all the religious ceremonies, rituals, and pomp and circumstance, Israel had the outward appearance of bearing fruit! But upon examination, they were spiritually barren! Now we come to the third day’s visit. We read, “As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. Being reminded, Peter said to Him, “Rabbi, look, the fig tree which You cursed has withered” (Mark 11:20-21). Our Lord uses this as a teachable moment to instruct His disciples about prayer. He’s inviting us to tap into the unlimited power of God through prayer! Mark continues, "Whenever you stand praying, forgive if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive your transgressions. But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father who is in heaven forgive your transgressions” (Mark 11:25-26). There’s something to be said about the subject of how our forgiveness of others affects our prayers! But for now, I want to focus on the potential power of our prayers when they’re prayed with sincere faith in God! What are we to learn? 1. THE POWER OF OUR LORD'S WORD. Seeing the fig tree withered must have been a startling thing to behold! You can almost hear it in Peter's words! The day before, it was covered with leaves! Our Lord was allowing them to see again that He walked among them as God in human flesh, with all the power and authority of God! We'll continue in part two. Be encouraged!