# Miracles Week 6: Embracing Faith and Bold Prayer

In this week's sermon, we delve into the profound themes of faith and prayer, exploring how these elements are essential in experiencing God's miracles. The sermon draws heavily from the story found in **Mark 11**, where Jesus curses a fig tree and teaches his disciples about the power of faith-driven prayer.

## Key Scripture: **Mark 11:20-24**

Jesus's interaction with the fig tree serves as a powerful illustration of faith and prayer. When Peter remarks on the withered tree, Jesus responds with, "Have faith in God." He emphasizes that faith, coupled with prayer, can move mountains, encouraging His followers to pray boldly and without doubt.

## The Power of Thin Places

The sermon introduces the concept of "thin places," where the spiritual and material worlds meet, allowing us to experience God's power and grace. These are moments where the divine becomes tangible, and miracles occur. Understanding when and why God acts is crucial for believers who seek to witness His divine action consistently.

## **Faith and Prayer: The Keys to Divine Action**

- **Faith in God**: Jesus teaches that unwavering faith is the foundation for experiencing miracles. It is not merely intellectual assent but an active, sometimes risky, trust in God's promises. Faith expresses itself through obedience, regardless of the circumstances.

- **Bold Prayer**: The sermon challenges us to evaluate our prayer lives. Are our prayers safe and predictable, or do they reflect a boldness that trusts in God's ability to do the impossible? Jesus calls us to pray with the confidence that God hears and responds.

## Lessons from Joshua

The sermon also references **Joshua 10**, where Joshua's bold prayer for the sun to stand still results in a miraculous victory for Israel. This story serves as an example of how faith and bold prayer can lead to divine intervention.

### Three Lessons from Joshua:

1. **Take God at His Word**: Joshua's faith was rooted in God's promise. Believers are encouraged to trust God's word and act upon it, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill His promises.

2. **Ask Boldly**: Joshua's public prayer demonstrated his confidence in God. We are encouraged to pray boldly, trusting that God will act according to His will.

3. **Confidence in Relationship with God**: Despite past failures, Joshua's relationship with God gave him the confidence to pray for the impossible. This underscores the importance of a right relationship with God, which is made possible through Jesus.

## Living Out Faith and Prayer

The sermon concludes by urging believers to live out their faith actively and to pray with boldness. It challenges us to consider what bold prayers we need to pray and what risks we need to take in our faith journey.

In closing, the message is clear: through faith and prayer, we can experience the miraculous power of God. As we step into "thin places," we witness His grace and are empowered to live for His glory.