Feb 18 2025 48 mins
In this powerful sermon, Pastor Jeffrey Johnson explores the deep and sometimes mysterious passage in Matthew 21, where Jesus curses the fig tree and teaches on faith in prayer. Focusing on verse 22—"Whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith."—Pastor Johnson unpacks the essential role of faith in our prayer lives.
Faith, he explains, consists of knowledge, confidence, and reliance on God's Word. It is not based on emotions, circumstances, or mere positive thinking but is deeply rooted in the unchanging promises of Scripture. Using examples from Scripture, including George Mueller’s unwavering trust in God’s provision and Elijah’s persistent prayers for rain, Pastor Johnson emphasizes that true faith looks beyond what is seen and fully expects God to fulfill His Word.
The sermon provides practical guidance on how to pray in faith, outlining five key principles:
- Pray Dependently – Recognizing our own weakness and fully relying on God.
- Pray Assuredly – Standing firmly on the promises of God without doubt.
- Pray Receptively – Accepting and believing that God will fulfill what He has already promised.
- Pray Boldly – Asking for big things, knowing that God is able.
- Pray Expectantly – Trusting that God will answer and looking for His response.
Ultimately, Pastor Johnson challenges us to pray with unwavering trust, not in ourselves, but in the One who never fails. If we desire a more effective and powerful prayer life, we must approach God with faith—believing His promises, seeking His will, and expecting Him to work.