Week Twenty-Seven - Mountain Movers

Jesus answered Peter's query about the dried-up fig tree by assuring him that believing prayer can move mountains and that whatsoever his heart desires could be his if he believes. We also venture to claim these great promises, but Jesus placed a prerequisite - you must have a spirit of forgiveness. Mark 11:25 - "And when ye stand praying, forgive."

    We rarely stand to pray, but this was the manner of the day, to stand in public with hands raised to heaven and pray aloud.

    The Pharisees were condemned for this out showing, not because the manner was wrong, but because their motive was askew. They wanted attention. Their motive was pride.

    Jesus even warned his disciples against praying while having ought with anyone. They needed pure hearts because unforgiveness, holding grudges, pride, resentment, and unresolved conflicts inhibit prayer.

    Chuck Lynch, in his book, I Should Forgive, But, takes time to examine many excuses we give as to why we cannot, will not, or believe we are justified not to forgive. In each case, Scripture reveals God's heart is always toward forgiveness. Why? Because God's heart is forgiving toward us. Ephesians 4:32 says that as He has forgiven us, we are likewise called to forgiveness.

    To refuse is to be bound in pride, and God hates pride. There is no place for it before God. Forgiveness requires humility. It is laying down the cloak of pride and putting on the garment of peace, laying aside the sword of vengeance and taking up the rod of gentleness. Forgiveness restores our peace. It opens the floodgates of God's mercy and opens our hearts to greater fellowship with Him and others.

    I have never prayed aloud, standing with my arms open to Heaven. Have you? But in my mind, I see it this way. If I pray like this, I open myself to God, allowing Him to look straight into my heart. If my heart is pure, the interaction would be glorious, but if my heart holds secret sins, unforgiveness, or pride, I am opening myself up to the judgment of God.

    Remember the Publican and the Pharisee praying? One, full of pride and self-righteousness, makes a show. The other, humble and repenting, kneels and beats his chest in confession. In either case, the manner is not condemned, but each is judged on his heart condition. 

    So today, where you to stand to pray, or even kneel, do so, ready to forgive. Forgive those who hurt you. Forgive those who cheated. Forgive those who spoke unkindly. Forgive those who have stolen from you. Forgive, "even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

    And then, you can move mountains.