CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 821

“Moving Mountains”

Matthew 21:21 (ESV)  And Jesus answered them, “Truly, I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt … even if you say to this mountain, ‘Be taken up and thrown into the sea,’ it will happen. And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.”

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In the movie “Return of the Jedi” Luke Skywalker, hand extended and straining with all his concentration, fails to raise his X-Wing fighter from the swamp while being coached by the Jedi Master, Yoda.  After Yoda easily levitates it and sets it down on dry land Luke says, “I didn’t believe it was possible!” to which Yoda replies, “That is why you fail.” Is this your Hollywood-influenced image of faith that moves mountains?  Do you see this faith as something or some force that you have to rally up from inside of you in order to accomplish the impossible?  The fact of the matter is that mountain-moving faith is more about letting go than summoning up.

First, we must trust in God’s steadfast love for us and in His goodness.  We must let go of our prideful illusion that we control our lives and destiny. We must let go of our wants and trust that God will provide our needs.  When God works the impossible in our lives the focus will always be on God and not the individual for whom the mountain was moved.  His purpose in our lives, as it was in the life of Jesus, will always be for His glory.

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. – Romans 8:28

Abraham let go of his intense desire for his only son, Isaac and in obedience went to the mountain to sacrifice him.  Daniel let go and abandoned himself to the Lord’s care, trusting that somehow God would see him through the lion’s den ordeal.  Likewise, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego let go and abandoned themselves to God’s care declaring that God was able to deliver them. God was glorified in these mountain-moving experiences.

Second, we must learn to wait upon the Lord.  We have to let go of our desire to have it now.  Mountains often move at a glacial pace.  Mountain-moving faith must remain steadfast in assurance that God is indeed working on our behalf and for our good.

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen; For nothing will be impossible with God.” – Hebrews 11:1; Luke 1:37

Third, we have to let go of all that hinders a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.  The power of God is required to move mountains.  Purity comes before power.  We cannot expect to live a compromised, worldly lifestyle and have mountain-moving faith.  Through continual prayer and the Word of God we must be filled and refilled with the Holy Spirit.  His abiding presence is necessary for steadfast, mountain-moving faith.

This is the word of the Lord … Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain. – Zech 4:6

What ‘mountains’ need to be moved in your life?  What impossibilities lie before you? May you empty yourself of what you believe to be impossible and hopeless and by the Holy Spirit may you be filled with steadfast faith and hope in God’s love and goodness.  He will make a way for you.