Mark 11:24 – “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.”
Jesus gave this powerful teaching on prayer immediately following a comment from Peter concerning the fig tree that Jesus cursed and caused to wither. Jesus tells His disciples in verse 23, “Have faith in God.” All effective praying must start with faith. Hebrews 11:6 says, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” When you come to God you must have a dual conviction in His existence and His ability to reward. However, understand the reward comes to those who diligently seek Him. This is not a casual approach to prayer. It must be filled with faith and determination.
In our devotional text Jesus says, “…whatever things you ask when you pray…” The word “ask” in the KJV is desire. A prayer with desire is more comparable to the Hebrews 11:6 prayer (“diligently seek”). Jesus then says believe you receive them and then you shall have them. The implication is that you get it before you get it. In other words, there is a time in prayer where you know you’ve been heard and you have the answer secured. That’s getting it before you get it. The manifestation will come in the form of answered prayer. But you leave your prayer time knowing it’s as good as done. I’m not so sure we pray until that time comes. We usually deliver our petition and leave before we get it. How about staying in prayer until you know something has transpired?
By the way, the verses following our devotion are important too. Jesus says that when you’re praying, if you come to the realization that you need to forgive someone, you better do it or else God won’t forgive you. Just thought I’d mention it.