Believe You Have Received It
AM Psalm 51:1-18(19-20) • PM Psalm 69:1-23
Lam. 1:1-2,6-12 • 2 Cor. 1:1-7 • Mark 11:12-25
In today’s reading from Mark, the temple clearing is surrounded by two pieces of the story of the fig tree. I’m confused by this story. I realize there’s probably symbolism here that I don’t get. But Jesus’ other miracles were healing, life-giving. Cursing and killing, even a tree, seems so different, so out of character. Nevertheless, when they all saw the withered tree, Jesus turned it into a lesson on the power and practice of prayer.
“...if you do not doubt in your heart, but believe that what you say will come to pass, it will be done for you. Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.”
Wow! So how far can I go with this? I see that my practice of intercessory prayer is pretty simplistic. My prayers are often a quick “Please, God, help with this,” and I’m on my way. To believe and act as if it has come to pass is, for me, something different. What might this answered prayer look like? And how would I change if I believe it’s answered?
Here’s an example. I have a challenging professional obligation coming up at the end of this month. I’m VERY nervous, and my heart sinks when I think about it. I want to be confident and articulate in a contentious situation. I can pray for that, I can believe that the prayer has been answered, I can start acting as if I’m confident and articulate, and (with God’s help) it can happen. I believe this.
But what about big things like the war in Ukraine? I want the war to end, I want people to be safe, I want Vladimir Putin to have a change of heart, I want God’s will to be done. What does it mean to believe that I have received any of these? There is more here than I can say in the space and time that I have. I’ll leave us all to ponder what “believe that you have received it” will mean for our praying and our living.
Written by Cathy Campbell
Cathy is a semi-retired professional counselor. She makes a joyful sound in the choir. She advocates for marginalized groups, especially LGBTQ people.