Now in the morning, as they passed by, they saw the fig tree dried up from the roots. 21 And Peter, remembering, said to Him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which You cursed has withered away.” 22 So Jesus answered and said to them, “Have faith in God. 23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says. 24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive [them], and you will have [them]. 25 “And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses. 26 “But if you do not forgive, neither will your Father in heaven forgive your trespasses.”

– Mark 11:20-26 (NKJV)

The disciples had marveled at how quickly Jesus spoke and the results showed up on the tree. Jesus took the time at this moment to teach the disciples about faith. He used a common phrase among the people of the day about “Moving mountains.” Perhaps it was a common phrase because Herod had taken down one small mountain bucket by bucket to build up a man made mountain and palace known as Herodium. The implication was that if one man can have such a vision and drive to carry out by human labor what seemed impossible, how much more should we have faith in God who will certainly carry out his will.

Then Jesus moves the disciples to the topic or prayer, reminding them that their dependence isn’t in their ability to speak it and believe it, but in the God whom they speak too. So when we pray according to God’s will they receive what they ask (there really is no other genuine way to pray). The real test then comes at the end of this section when Jesus reminds the disciples that forgiveness is one of those seemingly impossible things that God can work in your heart to do.

So when you pray and you have unforgiveness in your heart, one of the first things you need to do is ask the Lord to give you forgiveness for those who have wronged you. That payer with faith will be answered.

Father, We love you and want to grow in knowledge of you and your word. Search our hearts. If there is any unforgiveness in us we ask that you bring it to the surface and give us the grace to forgive those who have hurt us. If we have needlessly caused offense, we ask that you would call whatever arguments or situations to mind and those offended so we might seek to be reconciled to our brothers and sisters. We ask for your grace to work in our hearts and lives. Give us discernment as we apply your word to our lives. In Jesus Name, Amen.