Would you explain to me how we know that Matthew 21v22 (where Jesus promises that we will receive anything we ask for in prayer) cannot be taken literally?

Christian View

The Christian Perspective

by Timothy McCabe

Matthew 21, verse 22 can and should be taken literally.

Let's look at the passage in context:

And Jesus answered and said to them, "Truly I say to you, if you have faith and do not doubt, you will not only do what was done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, 'Be taken up and cast into the sea,' it will happen. And all things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive."
- Matthew 21:21-22

There is no apparent reason, from my perspective, that this passage should not be taken literally.

We are commanded to worship God with all of our minds (Matthew 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27). If we are truly obeying this command, we will always be certain and completely without doubt about anything that God has told us to be true -- anything He has promised. However, we will always have some doubt about anything that God Himself has not told us to be true. Thus, we can be certain that when God has made a promise to us, it will come to pass. But that is the only kind of thing we can be certain about.

Has God promised me a Porsche?

No. He has not.

Can I honestly believe, without doubt, that He will give me one?

Not if I am worshiping Him with my mind as I have been commanded to do.

Has God promised me that if I repent and trust in Christ, He will forgive me for my sins?

Yes. He has. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38, 10:43; 1 John 1:9)

Can I honestly believe, without doubt, that my God will do this?

Yes, I can. And, if I am worshiping Him with my mind, I will.

Thus, if I ask God to forgive me of my sins, I can be certain that He will do exactly as I have asked. He has promised me He will! I can honestly ask believing and without doubting. I can therefore be guaranteed that every promise of God's that I ask for in such a manner, I will truly receive, just as He has stated, literally, in Matthew 21.

On the other hand, if I am worshiping God with all of my mind, I cannot honestly ask, believing and without doubt, for a Porsche. I will always, if I am worshiping God with all of my mind, have doubt that He will provide me with a Porsche, unless He some day promises to do so.

If we ask for what He has promised us, we will receive it. Do not doubt His promises!

However, if we ask for what He has not promised us, we cannot justifiably expect anything.

Comments

Another contradiction from Tim. If Christ's alleged statement is to be taken literally, there can't be any conditions to it. But Tim adds conditions. Therefore the statement can't be taken literally. What a brilliant example of Christian "reasoning".

— Tony

Considering context, as Tim does here, is definitely an important aspect of Christian reasoning. Thanks for reminding us all of that, Tony.

— Anonymous

I agree Anon, context is important, which is why we should look at Tim's response in the context of other verses such as Matt 7:7, Matt 17:20, Matt 18:19, Mark 9:23, Mark 11:24 and John 14:12-14, where Jesus says he will answer prayers. Nowhere in any of these verses do the "conditions" that Tim mentioned appear.

— Anonymous

(cont) Apologies, the comment immediately above is from me too. Notwithstanding what I said previously, and leaving aside the verses that I mentioned, Tim does contradict himself by first claiming that we can and should interpret Matt 21:22 literally, and then immediately afterward saying that we shouldn't.

— Tony

You say God will forgive you if you repent & trust in Christ. Can he not see what is truly in your heart? Why does he need you to tell him you're sorry through prayer?

It seems, if all you can achieve through prayer are things God already promised, and God always keeps his promises, then prayer is superfluous.

— Anonymous

Here you go, Anonymous: https://www.godcontention.org/christian/why-pray

— Timothy McCabe

I have taken these verses mentioned by Anon and used them for the basis of a book I am considering publishing. The Title of the completed manuscript at present is "Pray Believing". I have been asking the Holy Spirit to guide this work and to lead me to publish or not. May I please have your comments and prayers.

— Charles P Arnold, Jr., Ph.D.

My personal email is [email protected] for any thoughts you may want to share with me.

— Charles P Arnold, Jr., Ph.D.

Would you explain to me how we know that Matthew 21v22 (where Jesus promises that we will receive anything we ask for in prayer) cannot be taken literally?

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