Prayer That Moves Mountains

Mountain-moving prayer is not merely saying many words to God. It is Spirit-born desire expressed through faith, expectation, fervency and thanksgiving. When we learn to pray this way, we approach God believing that He is able to bring about the change we are asking for.

Scripture

Mark 11:23–24 KJV – “Whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart… he shall have whatsoever he saith.”

Reflection

1. Mountain-Moving Prayer Starts With A Burden

Before you pray for a mountain to move, there must be a desire for something to change, be accomplished or fulfilled. Sometimes the burden is deeper than our natural understanding. Romans 8:26 teaches that the Holy Spirit helps our infirmities and helps us in prayer. A burden can therefore become a divine invitation to pray.¹ Ask yourself: “What am I believing God to change?” Pray from a burden, not merely from a routine.

2. Mountain-Moving Prayer Must Be Offered In Faith

Jesus said, “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them” (Mark 11:24). Faith is not waiting until you see the answer before believing. You approach God believing that He is able and trusting His promise before the evidence appears. Do not let doubt have the final word in your prayer. Believe God as you pray.²

3. Mountain-Moving Prayer Comes With Expectation

Expectation says, “I believe God to do something about this.” Many prayers become routine because we pray without expecting anything to happen. We say “Amen” and immediately forget what we asked for. But biblical prayer looks toward God’s intervention. Pray expecting God to work. Expect Him to open doors, change situations, provide answers and accomplish His purposes.³

4. Mountain-Moving Prayer Must Be Fervent And Effectual

James 5:16 says, “The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” Fervency is not merely making noise or becoming emotional. Effective prayer is purposeful, believing and persistent prayer that agrees with God’s will. Passion may stir us, but fervent and effectual prayer directs that passion toward God and His purposes. Learn to pray deliberately, earnestly and persistently.⁴

5. Mountain-Moving Prayer Makes The Request Known With Thanksgiving

Philippians 4:6 says, “In every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” Tell God exactly what you need. Pray specifically. Supplicate earnestly. Then give thanks, not because you have already seen everything you requested, but because you trust the God to whom you have prayed. Make your request known, believe God, expect His intervention, pray fervently and thank Him while you wait.⁵

Today’s Prayer

Father, give me a burden that comes from Your Spirit. Teach me to pray with faith, expectation, fervency and thanksgiving.

Help me to identify the mountains that need to move and bring them boldly before You. Deliver me from prayer without expectation and from empty, routine words.

Teach me to pray effectually and fervently, believing that You are able to answer according to Your will. Let my prayers produce change, advance Your purposes and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Referenced Scriptures

1. Romans 8:26 KJV — “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.” ↩︎
2. Hebrews 11:6 KJV — “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” ↩︎
3. Jeremiah 33:3 KJV — “Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” ↩︎
4. Luke 18:1 KJV — “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” ↩︎
5. 1 Thessalonians 5:17–18 KJV — “Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” ↩︎