A Time to Pray and a Time to Say

‭‭Mark‬ ‭4‬:‭39‬-‭40‬ “Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?”

This is a very confronting question that Jesus asked.

“Why are you so fearful?”

He was asking them why they were acting cowardly. This question reveals that they could have done exactly what Jesus did to the storm.

They were to use the authority that He gave them and speak to the storm.

It’s similar to what Jesus said in Mark 11:23-24.

“For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, ‘Be removed and be cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

‭‭Mark‬ ‭11‬:‭23‬ ‭

When we know God’s will, we have the authority to speak to things so that they align with His will.

We know that it was God’s will for the disciples to go over to the other side of the lake. (Mark 4:35)

Therefore, the disciples could speak to the storm and say, “Peace, be still.”

In Mark 11:25, Jesus goes on to say,

“And whenever you stand praying, if you have anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also forgive you your trespasses.”

Verses 23 and 24 are two different things. He made a distinction between speaking to things and praying for things.

There’s a time to say and a time to pray.

What we need to understand is when to speak to things and when to pray.

We can speak to things when we know God’s will and are standing on His promise.

When we know and are convinced that it’s God’s will to heal, we can speak to sickness and pain and tell it to go in Jesus’ Name.

Prayer is for when we need to know and understand God’s will. It comes from fellowship and communion with God.

For example, we don’t have control or authority over people and their will, so we can pray for them. We can ask God to work in their hearts and help them to see the light of the Gospel.

I encourage you this week to meditate on these verses in Mark 11:23-24 and ask God for light on these verses so that you know when it’s time to speak to things and when it’s time to pray.

Praise God for His goodness and the help of the Spirit, so we are well equipped to face the trials of life and enforce the victory we have in Him!

Remember, we love you, and we are praying for you.

Blessings,

Chloe