House of Prayer

Mark 11:12 – 25
1 Corinthians 6:19In this passage, 2 unusual things are related or connected and this is the cursing of the fig tree and the cleansing of the Temple.

The cursing of the fig tree was an acted out parable related to the cleansing of the Temple. The Temple was supposed to be a place of worship but true worship and prayer had disappeared. The fig tree showed promise of fruit but it produced none. If we claim to have faith without putting it to work in our lives we are like the barren fig tree. We look fruitful in appearance only but are spiritually barren.

Fig trees are a popular source of inexpensive food in Israel. They require 3 years from time of planting until they can bear fruit. Each tree yields a great amount of fruit. In late spring and early autumn, the figs normally grow as the leaves fill out but this tree, though full of leaves, had none. The tree looked promising but offered no fruit. 2 Timothy 4:2 – 5
We need to be people that are prayed up. What kind of prayers do we pray? Is it the kind of prayers that moves mountains? God answers our prayers but it’s not based on our positive mental outlook or attitude. There are a few conditions that need to be met......
1. Be a believer: Hebrews 11:6, Mark 11:23 – 242. Don’t hold a grudge against another person vs. 253. Don’t pray with selfish motives: James 4:1 – 34. Let your request be for the good of God’s Kingdom: James 4:7 – 10Our prayers are often motivated by our own interests and desires yet Jesus prayed in Mark 14:36 with God’s interest in mind.

Let’s be a praying people
Let’s confess our sin
Let’s turn back to God.