At this very moment I'm looking out the window at a mountain, but I haven't seen it move yet. I wonder if that's an indictment of my faith?
"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. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions." (Mark 11:23-25)
Faith can move mountains, and yet, of all the mountains in the world, which one has ever miraculously moved? I'm sure it can easily be confirmed that all remain exactly where they have been since the beginning of time. And so, either no one truly has faith, or Jesus meant something besides the literal moving of mountains.
Following Jesus' great mountain-moving faith statement is, what appears to be, a "blank check" prayer statement: "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". But wait; the "signer" of the check is forgiveness: "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions". Unless forgiveness signs, we can't cash the check. And there, I believe, is the great mountain that Jesus talks about: unforgiveness.
Where I live there is a scenic and popular mountain that stands in the ideal location for a freeway bypass. Much debate has ensued for several years as to the best plan for a route around the mountain with minimal disruption of nearby residential areas. Obviously the best solution would be the removal of the mountain, but that plan is apparently not under serious consideration.
Issues of forgiveness are just as insurmountable. Disagreements lead to relationship impasses that stretch over months and years. What began as a molehill has grown into a vast, immovable mountain. Tempers flared. Communication became strained; now it is nonexistent. Meaningful relationships are separated by the mountain of unforgiveness.
Effectiveness in prayer is directly tied to issues of forgiveness. Few things are more difficult, or important, than maintaining healthy relationships. Relationships have a bearing both on prayer and worship (Matthew 5:23-24).
Have your prayers seemed to bounce off the ceiling lately? Does it seem that God is hidden from view behind a huge mountain? If so, unforgiveness is likely the culprit.
How are things with your marriage partner? Your parents? Coworkers? Brothers and sisters in Christ? If all is not well there, then all is not well in the prayer closet.
I love the view of the mountains that surround me where I live, but they also stand as object lessons for something less beautiful: unforgiveness. So, I'm enjoying the physical view of the mountains, but seeking the flat plains spiritually.
May your spiritual view be totally unobstructed today.
Steve
"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. Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions." (Mark 11:23-25)
Faith can move mountains, and yet, of all the mountains in the world, which one has ever miraculously moved? I'm sure it can easily be confirmed that all remain exactly where they have been since the beginning of time. And so, either no one truly has faith, or Jesus meant something besides the literal moving of mountains.
Following Jesus' great mountain-moving faith statement is, what appears to be, a "blank check" prayer statement: "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". But wait; the "signer" of the check is forgiveness: "Whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father who is in heaven will also forgive you your transgressions". Unless forgiveness signs, we can't cash the check. And there, I believe, is the great mountain that Jesus talks about: unforgiveness.
Where I live there is a scenic and popular mountain that stands in the ideal location for a freeway bypass. Much debate has ensued for several years as to the best plan for a route around the mountain with minimal disruption of nearby residential areas. Obviously the best solution would be the removal of the mountain, but that plan is apparently not under serious consideration.
Issues of forgiveness are just as insurmountable. Disagreements lead to relationship impasses that stretch over months and years. What began as a molehill has grown into a vast, immovable mountain. Tempers flared. Communication became strained; now it is nonexistent. Meaningful relationships are separated by the mountain of unforgiveness.
Effectiveness in prayer is directly tied to issues of forgiveness. Few things are more difficult, or important, than maintaining healthy relationships. Relationships have a bearing both on prayer and worship (Matthew 5:23-24).
Have your prayers seemed to bounce off the ceiling lately? Does it seem that God is hidden from view behind a huge mountain? If so, unforgiveness is likely the culprit.
How are things with your marriage partner? Your parents? Coworkers? Brothers and sisters in Christ? If all is not well there, then all is not well in the prayer closet.
I love the view of the mountains that surround me where I live, but they also stand as object lessons for something less beautiful: unforgiveness. So, I'm enjoying the physical view of the mountains, but seeking the flat plains spiritually.
May your spiritual view be totally unobstructed today.
Steve
posted by steve @ 7:40 AM
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