The Withered Fig Tree (Mark 11:21)

“Peter remembered and said to Jesus ‘Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered.’ ‘Have faith,’ Jesus answered” (verse 22). At this point Jesus showed his great authority over everything that is under the sun. Even his disciples were amazed at the great faith Jesus had in the Father. So it comes to us as believers that we must have strong faith and not doubt what we ask in prayer because the Father is ready to give, providing we are asking according to His purpose; “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.” Brothers and sisters, prayers are not heard because we are following the wrong way in our daily doings and actions before God. He is loving and we give prayers towards him. We expect the Lord to forgive us and reward us’, even when we come with bad feelings. The Lord is not going to hear or reward us because of this.

In old times, they used to sacrifice perfect lambs to the Lord. So we need to do our best to be perfect likewise, otherwise we are just wasting our time: “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him so that your Father in heaven may forgive your sins.” So let us take heed of what the Bible says and do God’s wishes so that what we ask will be given to us. “Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours” (verse 24).

Bro Farai Phiri (Chegutu, Zimbabwe)