The
Conditions of Prayer
Mark 11:20-26
Introduction: Jesus used the fig tree to teach what the conditions of prayer are. Some say the fig tree represented Israel, professing spiritual fruit, but bearing none; just a form of religion, but having no power. Thus the tree was a sign of disappointment and coming justice and punishment. However this is not the lesson Jesus taught. The message was power, power that comes through faith and prayer. Meeting the conditions of prayer will cause our prayers to be much more effective and have a quick answer.
I.
The
first condition to prayer is FAITH IN GOD.
Vs 22-23
A.
There
are four significant facts.
1.
The
object of faith is God Himself. The
critical words are “IN GOD”
a.
Jesus
said, “Have faith in God,” not just have faith.
b.
Faith
has to have an object
c.
Faith
has no value by itself
d.
Only
the object [God] has value
e.
The
Bible does not say to have faith in faith
f.
We
want to ‘arouse our faith’, stir up enough faith to whip the problem.
g.
We
have the faith, but our mind, our attention; our heart must be focused on God
alone.
B.
Faith
has no power; it is the object [God] that has power.
1.
Our
faith will not remove the mountain
2.
God
is going to move the mountain
3.
The
strength of faith is not faith, but God.
4.
Most
that came to God had weak faith.
Matthew 14:22-23
C.
Faith
requires knowing the Object.
1.
The
more we know the Object of faith, the more one believes in the Object. Hebrews
11:6
2.
Story
of the two men going ice fishing.
3.
One
encourages the other to step out on to the ice, insuring him that the ice will
hold.
4.
He
does for a few guarded steps, but then retreats to the bank.
5.
The
other man walks out on the ice, drills his hole and begins to fish.
6.
Note
three important questions.
a.
What
supported the man on the ice? Not faith,
but the ice, the object of his faith.
b.
Who
had the strongest faith? The man on the
ice; the other had weak faith and turned back.
c.
What
was the difference? One man knew the
ice and the other did not.
2. A second fact to note about faith is
its purpose.
a.
The
purpose of our faith is to remove mountains.
1.
Jesus’
teaching says - - “Have faith in God” -
- then
“say to the mountain, be removed”.
2.
The
mountain represents the immovable, the impossible
3.
Something
to steep to climb, to high to cross, to awesome to see beyond
b.
Jesus
was teaching prayer and communion along with faith.
1.
The
more one prays and communes with God, the more one will know God.
2.
The
more one knows God, more faith we have in God.
3. A third fact about faith is the way to
possess faith.
a.
The
way is prayer.
1.
“Who-so-ever
- - shall not doubt - - but believe - -- those things - - he saith - - shall
come to pass - - he shall have.”
a.Not doubting at all:
1.
Never
having a thought whether a thing could be done or not.
2.
No
hesitating, not wondering, questioning, nor considering, no concern at all
3.
Only
God Himself can know if a thing will happen or not.
4.
Christ
desires we grow in belief and trust.
5.
For
us to know all things are possible through Christ
b.
Believing
in God’s authority
1.
The
words “shall say”
2.
The
power of Christ came from the authority of God
3.
All
He had to say, that is, speak the word, and it was done.
4. A fourth fact to note about faith is
the results of faith.
a.
One
who prays having faith - -
1.
Truly,
“Having faith in God” - -
2.
“Has
whatsoever he saith” - -
b.
The
mountains, which confront him, will be removed.
1.
Effectively
and quickly
2.
Matthew
21:22, John 14:12-14, Psalms 91:15
II.
Second condition to prayer is, Expectancy.
Vs 24
A. A man must believe and expect the answer
to his prayer.
1.
One
must be confident and assured
2.
One must anticipate and look for the
answer. Matthew 21:22
3.
Expectancy
involves all of man’s being.
a.
involves
a man’s emotions, his desires
b.
involves
a man’s will, he ask
c.
involves
a man’s spirit, he believes
4.
1John
5:14-15, James 1:6, Isaiah 65:24
III.
The
third condition to prayer is forgiveness.
Vs 25-26
A.
A
condition stressed time and again by Jesus.
1.
Matthew
18:32-33
2.
Note
this, when a person is Actually Praying
a.
“When
we stand praying”
b.
We
must forgive
3.
It
does no good to pray unless one does forgive.
a.
Forgiveness
for all who have wronged us
b.
No
hard feelings, anger, and such is a sin
c.
If
we cannot forgive, it is a sin
4.
No
request for forgiveness is granted unless a man has completely forgiven all
others.
a.
Matthew
6:14-15, Luke 6:36:37
Conclusion:
Restoration. Prayer is the answer. When our prayers are in faith to God,
un-wavering, results will come. A point
to remember is that we are to keep God as the object of our prayers. Remember these conditions; one, “Have faith
in God”, two, Pray expecting an answer, three, When we pray, forgive. This will
bring results.