Believe What We Pray

Matthew 21:18-22

The Lord Jesus stayed in Bethany, 2 miles outside of Jerusalem.

This is a fig-growing area.

Bethphage means ‘house of figs’.

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They returned to Jerusalem the next day.

Jesus saw a fig tree which stood out for its rich foliage.

It should have had its early crop of small figs from the previous year’s shoots.

These would have been ripe and ready for eating.

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Jesus was hungry.

But He found nothing but leaves on the tree.

Jesus cursed it.

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The barren tree provides a solemn lesson.

Israel, planted by God and cared for as no other nation, was barren and was ripe for judgment.

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It is also a solemn lesson for us.

We must question ourselves if our religion is all outward show, but bear no fruit!

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The disciples marveled that the fig tree withered so soon after Jesus cursed it.

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Jesus told them that if they had faith and did not doubt, they could do similar miracles.

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Faith is essential when we pray.

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Great faith was linked with moving mountains.

This is an encouragement to trust in God when we pray.

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But this is not an encouragement for selfish prayers.

"Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart." (Psalm 37:4)

It is important for us to take delight in the Lord .

Then our desires will be God-centered rather than self-centered.

Then God will answer our prayers, since we ask according to His will.

"This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us."
(1 John 5:14)