Jesus wanted his disciples to know that prayer is powerful. And that's the case, he tells the disciples, not because of the way the prayer is uttered, or because the person praying is so powerful in their faith.

In fact, it's really not about us at all. It's about the power of the One who hears and answers our prayers. Not the faith, but the object of our faith is the key when we pray.

Have faith in God, he tells them. In other words, God is trustworthy, he is listening, and he loves you. He is powerful enough to do whatever we might ask of him -- including the things that might seem quite impossible at first glance.

Even answering a prayer telling a mountain to throw itself into the sea, for instance. God can do it, if he wills.

If we know God and speak in faith to him who is powerful enough to do the impossible, then, Jesus says, he will hear and answer our requests, according to his will.

Without faith in Jesus, it is impossible to please God or pray to him. But with faith in Jesus, we pray confidently, knowing that he will answer when he is ready, and in his own way.

In short, pray with great boldness. It's God on the other end of the line.

"'Have faith in God,' Jesus answered. 'Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins'" (Mark 11:22-25, NIV).

Our Bible reading for Monday, March 2, is Leviticus 7:11 - 8:36, Mark 11:1-25 and Psalm 28:1-9.

Lord, I want to pray with boldness and confidence. Lead me into the Bible so that I can come to know you better, and become more filled with trust in your words and promises, in your love and power. From that foundation, filled with your Spirit, grant me the ability to see you for who you are -- the loving powerful God who hears and answers my prayers.

Header image based on "the prayer continued" by anonymous, CC By-SA 2.0