Seeking and Finding God
By Colin Smith
“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.” Mark 11:23 (NIV)
Do you ever wish you had more faith when you pray? Just like Jesus’ first disciples, many Christians today wonder how they can pray with more faith. Notice what Jesus is saying about prayer here: “If effective prayer is to grow in your life, here’s where you must begin-you must cultivate faith.”
Jesus was standing on the Mount of Olives when he said this, but the Mount of Olives is still there. So, no one has ever accomplished the feat of moving the Mount of Olives into the sea. Jesus is using hyperbole here to make a point: Extraordinary things happen when God’s people exercise faith in prayer.
But how do you grow in faith? Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Romans 10:17). That is the point of feeding on God’s Word-to strengthen your faith. The more you take in the greatness and glory of Jesus Christ, the more you will have confidence in Him, and the more you have confidence in Him, the more you will ask of Him.
Cultivate forgiveness
“When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” Mark 11:25 (NIV)
Who are you angry with? Who are you frustrated with? Who has hurt you? Who has left you with wounds? Who has offended you? Believe it or not, these are the kinds of things that can deeply impact your prayer life.
A bitter spirit will hinder the blessing of God in your life. Holding a grudge will make you unfruitful. How can you pray if your spirit is churning up with resentment toward another person? It’s impossible! “When you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him” (v25).
As you grow in faith, and as you grow in forgiveness, you will begin to pray more effectively. How do you grow in forgiveness? Jesus said “Love your enemies-pray for those who persecute you.” (Matthew 5:44) Ask God to bless the person who has hurt you. Keep doing that and you will grow in forgiveness, more than that, you will grow in seeking and finding God!
