Moving Mountains

Jesus prayed, “Not my will, but yours be done,” and we should pray this way too. Mark 11:20-26

In this life, we are bound to face obstacles. Jesus said we would have difficulties; it’s simply unavoidable. But there is hope, for He has overcome the world (John 16:33).

Jesus tells us that when problems seem great, we should have faith in God and pray. Many people love Mark 11:24 because it seems like a general promise for anything we desire. However, this verse cannot stand alone and should not be taken out of context. Let’s consider two conditions for the promise found there.

1. God only seeks to remove obstacles that hinder His will. Jesus is our primary example for this truth. When He faced the prospect of dying on the cross as a sin-bearer for humanity, it must have seemed like an impossible challenge to be removed. Yet His prayers were guided by these words: “Nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42).

2. We must ensure that we are not the obstacle. For example, Jesus notes in Mark 11:25-26 that an unforgiving spirit disrupts our fellowship with God and hinders our prayers.

Our first reaction to obstacles should be self-examination. Ask God: “Is there something I need to address and fix? Do my requests align with Your will?” Only then can we confidently ask Him to act in our lives as only He can.