I’ve probably written articles with Mark 11:24-25 at least three times, but if we can really get a grip on this, it will forever change us! If we really believe we’re actually in a spiritual war, and either there is an invisible dimension within the one we can see, or another dimension within the same dimension we’re in; with demon spirits plotting against every person who believes in Jesus Christ as our risen Lord and Savior, then we should use every strategy in the bible the Lord has taught us, and the examples and lessons from both Old and New Testaments.

Read how people in the bible were victorious, and you’ll see they went to God first, and either knelt or fell prostrate, while speaking to God about their situations, and God directed them in their hearts, through prophets and/or other people, and they quoted Scripture or prophesied their own victories before walking into battle. Oftentimes people spoke exactly what they intended to do, and then did it. And, they also believed they would accomplish their plan, walking in a God given confidence, knowing in their hearts the Lord was on their side, and they would not fail. I believe that’s what Jesus meant in Mark 11:24-25.

“24I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours. 25But when you are praying, first forgive anyone you are holding a grudge against, so that your Father in heaven will forgive your sins, too.”

So, if you believe there is another dimension we cannot see, it’s easy to believe that we can pray and speak our intentions, believing we have received it simply because we’ve asked the Lord, even though we don’t see it in the physical realm, believing it’s in the spiritual realm, trusting in God through faithful patience, that we’ll eventually see what we’ve been believing. But, did you catch the hitch?

The hitch is in verse 25. How easy is it to forgive someone? Is it as easy as believing you’ve received something before you can see it? Which is harder, I ask you?

Whatever we want from the Lord, we first must do first for others. If we want God to forgive our sins, we first must forgive others who have sinned against us. Do you believe that? Well…

Jesus said in Matthew 6:14-15 “14For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” So, then, if the Master said we won’t be forgiven if we don’t forgive, what do you think? Do you think we can tell God we repent, ask Jesus to be our Lord and Savior, get baptized and be forgiven if we don’t forgive someone who has wronged us? And do you think you will receive an answer to your prayer if you can’t forgive someone? Ask your pastor, because this is really heavy.

I say let it go. Ask God to take all your sorrows, hurts and pains, and then trust Him to heal you and allow Him to have His way, His will, for us. No matter what He brings to us to endure, ask Him for strength, daily speaking to Him and reading His Word, and every chance we get, speak His Word! Read, believe and quote the following Scriptures out of Romans 8!

Romans 8:26-39 “26So too the [Holy] Spirit comes to our aid and bears us up in our weakness; for we do not know what prayer to offer nor how to offer it worthily as we ought, but the Spirit Himself goes to meet our supplication and pleads in our behalf with unspeakable yearnings and groanings too deep for utterance.

27And He Who searches the hearts of men knows what is in the mind of the [Holy] Spirit [what His intent is], because the Spirit intercedes and pleads [before God] in behalf of the saints according to and in harmony with God's will.

28We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.

29For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many brethren.

30And those whom He thus foreordained, He also called; and those whom He called, He also justified (acquitted, made righteous, putting them into right standing with Himself). And those whom He justified, He also glorified [raising them to a heavenly dignity and condition or state of being].

31What then shall we say to [all] this? If God is for us, who [can be] against us? [Who can be our foe, if God is on our side?]

32He who did not withhold or spare [even] His own Son but gave Him up for us all, will He not also with Him freely and graciously give us all [other] things?

33Who shall bring any charge against God's elect [when it is] God Who justifies [that is, Who puts us in right relation to Himself? Who shall come forward and accuse or impeach those whom God has chosen? Will God, Who acquits us?]

34Who is there to condemn [us]? Will Christ Jesus (the Messiah), Who died, or rather Who was raised from the dead, Who is at the right hand of God actually pleading as He intercedes for us?

35Who shall ever separate us from Christ's love? Shall suffering and affliction and tribulation? Or calamity and distress? Or persecution or hunger or destitution or peril or sword?

36Even as it is written, For Thy sake we are put to death all the day long; we are regarded and counted as sheep for the slaughter.

37Yet amid all these things we are more than conquerors and gain a surpassing victory through Him Who loved us.

38For I am persuaded beyond doubt (am sure) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things impending and threatening nor things to come, nor powers,

39Nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation will be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

That’s because if we die, we go to the Lord, and if we live, we’re living for the Lord!

Don’t get offended, that’s the devil’s trick to cause us to walk in unforgiveness. Forgive! Forgive! Let it go! Give it to God!

John 16:1 “1These things have I spoken unto you, that ye should not be offended.”