The Power of Declaration

Listen to the truth I speak to you: Whoever says to this mountain with great faith and does not doubt,[a] ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’[b] and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.” Mark 11:23-25

2021, you too? After what seemed like a turbulent year of 2020, did anyone expect the roller coaster to stop? Was I naïve to think that 2021 would be like a beautiful and smooth sailboat outing? Is anyone else thinking the same thing. Well, I don’t know about you, but I was a little disappointed that the headlines, the seeming confusion, situations affecting those around me and for the world generally, continue to affect me in ways that are opposite of how God has called us to think.

But there is great news! I’ve allowed heaviness and anxiety to cloud the truth which is that God has not called us to be spectators in this world. God has not called us to brace for bad news or unfortunate events or just watch it unfold. Rather, as God’s children we carry power, we carry hope, we carry the power to transform the world. Just as God is perfect and good, we have an Enemy who would use fear and confusion (and even just distraction) to keep us from walking in the power and authority that we have as God’s children.

“Whoever says to this mountain with great faith and does not doubt,[a] ‘Mountain, be lifted up and thrown into the midst of the sea,’[b] and believes that what he says will happen, it will be done” .In this passage in Mark, Jesus’ disciples were amazed that Jesus could make a declaration and cause a fig tree to wither. In response to their astonishment, Jesus boldly told them that their own declarations had the power to move mountains. If we recognized that there are no limits to God’s power and that we partner with Him, then there are no limits to speaking God’s will on this Earth. We can move mountains – with the faith to believe that literally or figuratively. Far too long, we have settled for less than the power and authority that comes with being God’s children. Far too long, we have looked at seemingly hopeless situations, not recognizing our own ability to declare hope and life and healing in partnership with God.

So what does this mean for us? It means that as you see situations unfold, hear of people’s sufferings, or just read the headlines, we can accept the status quo OR we can start by asking God – what is your will in situation? What is your purpose in this? What is your destiny for this city, state, nation? As a loving God, His will is perfect. It’s never calamity, destruction, hopelessness, sickness. May the Lord show us how to speak with a bold faith to disease, to anxiety and depression, to storms, to nations… or even if we simply need a mountain to move out of our way ;)

Reflection Questions:

What are situations in my own life that make me feel like a victim or spectator?

What declarations is God asking me to make in this situation?

What Scriptures can I use to declare God’s good and perfect will over the situation?

Prayer:

God, we praise you because you are the God of hope.

We praise you because all things are possible in your name.

Father God, let us walk in the fullness of your power and authority.

Give us eyes to see the world as you do and how you’ve intended it to be.

Let the words of my mouth speak in agreement with you, and mountains will move.

Let the words of my mouth declare who you are, and mountains will move.

Amen.