The Whole Point Of Faithful Prayer

''Today's Devotion" For August 13, 2005

Read: Matthew 21:18-22; Acts 5:1-11

THE WHOLE POINT OF FAITHFUL PRAYER

"'If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer.'" (Mt. 21:22)

Have you ever noticed how people want to believe certain things, so they'll ignore the facts or twist them to fit their beliefs and get the answers they seek? In recent weeks an advertisement in the media has been decrying the supposed support for violence against abortion clinics by current Supreme Court nominee, Judge John Roberts. It was a blatant misrepresentation of an argument the judge made as assistant solicitor general before the Supreme Court some years ago. In truth, as has been noted even by those who oppose his confirmation, is that he never supported any such thing, and the organization which sponsored the ad has now pulled it. It has, however, not offered any apology for its defamation of the Judge Robert's character and principles, much less its misrepresentation of his position. Ignoring the facts to accomplish a purpose isn't uncommon in our society. People are quite adept at skirting the truth to accomplish their own purposes.

One of the more insidious forms of this occurs in the place where the spiritual and the material come together. For many people, there is a "name it and claim it" mentality that takes what Jesus promises concerning the prayers of His faithful people, and focuses them on material wealth and personal accomplishment as an end in themselves. So often I hear people saying that God wants His people to be wealthy in material things - when the reality is that God want true wealth for His children, which is a loving and fulfilled, forgiven relationship with Him. Anything else is an extra blessing. The context of the word, "believe" in Matthew 21, verse 22, has nothing to do with just "any old thing," but rather having faith that God will provide for our every need, especially the forgiveness of all our sins, the basics necessities of life, and our future hope of heaven and life with Him forever.

That's the real story, the real essence of Matthew's account of the "Withering Fig Tree." It's not Jesus telling us that God will give us everything we want or desire just because we believe. The truth is that the prayers of God's faithful people, prayers of faith are not prayers seeking wealth, power, or material gain, but prayers for the benefit and blessing of others and our own needs - "give us this day our daily bread."

Putting ourselves in the place of the fig tree, we are reminded by Jesus that God expects and commands us to produce the fruits of faith so that others might be blessed through us. He calls us to bear fruit the fruit of faith, which loves others in Jesus' name and serves others in humility and sacrificial living. Thus, while for some it may seem cruel and petulant that Jesus placed a curse on the fig tree, it's a tremendous object lesson for God's faithful people. In the end, Jesus teaches us two very important things: 1) We are called to bear the fruit of faith in service to others, and failure to do so invites God's wrath because it reflects a denial of Him; 2) As God's people in Christ, we can be certain that our prayers, motivated by faith and seeking God's Will be done, can even "move mountains" if necessary for the benefit of others and the sharing of God's love.

In Christ, by the power of His Word and Spirit, God grants us such faith in Him that, when necessary for the sharing of the Gospel and the benefit of others, we can "move mountains" and overcome any obstacle that Sin and Satan might place in the way of true service to God and the needs of our neighbors. In such a faith, we are bold to come before the throne of God's grace and share our most intimate desires and needs, believing that He will give us what we desire according to His Will and our good. By faith we know He will answer our prayers and that in His mercy He gives us every opportunity to repent and bring forth much "fruit." Today is a good day to rejoice in that mercy and grace and live as fruitful people of God.

Prayer: Father, thank You for Your great mercy and grace. You put Your wrath toward Sin on Jesus on the Cross. He bore my sins and the sins of all upon Himself so that no one has to suffer the fate of the fig tree. Help me to trust and believe in Your love and mercy each day, and let Jesus be the example I follow and proclaim with joy and peace. In His precious name I pray. Amen.
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--Pastor Boeck

Copyright @2005 Rev. Richard J. Boeck, Jr. All rights reserved.