The Key to Powerful Prayer

The Key to Powerful Prayer
Words of Faith 2-26-2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2024
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL
www.faithfellowshipweb.com
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Mark 11
[19] When evening came, they went out of the city.
[20] In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots. [21] Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"
[22] "Have faith in God," Jesus answered. [23] "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. [24] Therefore, I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. [25] And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."

Prayer is such a powerful thing, more powerful than we ever realize. Jesus clearly stated that with faith in God, a mountain can be cast into the sea when we speak without doubt. When we surrender in faith to the will of God, we begin to speak in agreement with Him rather than in rebellion or selfishness. We begin to think in harmony with His sovereign will and plan. We begin to exhibit fruit that is not leafy or showy but rich with the character of God. It will be ours when we ask in surrendered prayer and believe that we have received. Nothing is impossible under such conditions.
But resentment is also a powerful thing, more powerful than we realize. The one thing that can stand in the way of powerful prayer is the sin of unforgiveness. If the enemy cannot pull us down through selfishness, he will go after us with self-pity.
We all know that selfish prayers are not likely to be "answered" because they are not surrendered to the will and name of Jesus. Selfish prayers are often answered with a "learning experience" by which we gain some maturity, perspective, and deeper surrender. Selfish prayers, like the arrogant requests of the disciples to sit in places of honor they did not deserve, usually persuade the Lord to offer a "teaching moment" in our lives. But when the enemy cannot tempt us with selfishness, he usually will get us with unforgiveness.

The sin of unforgiveness is usually quite "righteous" in appearance. Someone wounds us intentionally or unintentionally; it really does not matter. Being "spiritually minded," we may even go through the motions of forgiveness. Still, in our hearts, we harbor at least a tiny grudge. That is precisely the foothold the enemy needs, and the tiny grudge grows.
What starts as a tiny grudge will grow. We often nurture this bitter little sapling and water it well. We protect it from the wind of the Spirit. We may even fertilize it thoroughly with a pity party or two; before we know it, the bitter tree is solid and tall. We are absolutely sure that we have been wronged and that no one cares, no one notices and even God must be against us! How can we pray in such a state? We cannot.
So Jesus advises, when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
What is forgiveness? Forgiveness is choosing to willingly bear the pain of another person's offense. Forgiveness is a choice. It does not make the pain go away. But when we choose to willingly bear the pain of the offense-- just as Jesus did for our offense-- we begin to get better instead of bitter. Even our pain can strengthen our prayer life as we get better. Even our wounds can be a source of healing for others. We find we can even pray FOR our enemies, pray for those who persecute us, and pray for those who have caused us pain.
How about it? Is there something chewing at you? Is there some wound that you have been nursing and nurturing? Do you have a bitter sapling that is rapidly growing? Is there something standing in the way of your powerful prayer life? Does it seem impossible? Is there a mountain of hurt so big that it seems it cannot be removed?
"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.

Lord, reveal in me any root of bitterness or seed of resentment. Show me those I need to forgive. Give me grace to be forgiven and to forgive. In Jesus' name, cast the mountain of unforgiveness I have harbored into the sea. Give me a powerful prayer life in Your name and will, Amen.

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2024
Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)
2820 Business Center Blvd.
Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200
Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com
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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2024 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.