Prayer Root Ministries -> Praying through Scripture -> The Gospel of Mark -> Mark 11
Scripture (ESV)
And they came again to Jerusalem. And as he was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to him, and they said to him, “By what authority are you doing these things, or who gave you this authority to do them?” Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question; answer me, and I will tell you by what authority I do these things. Was the baptism of John from heaven or from man? Answer me.” And they discussed it with one another, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven,’ he will say, ‘Why then did you not believe him?’ But shall we say, ‘From man’?”—they were afraid of the people, for they all held that John really was a prophet. So they answered Jesus, “We do not know.” And Jesus said to them, “Neither will I tell you by what authority I do these things.”
Prayer Root: Word to Prayer
Heavenly Father,
I come before You knowing that Your authority is not given by people, positions, or approval, but comes from heaven alone. Forgive me for the times I have questioned Your authority when it challenged my comfort, my pride, or my control.
Lord, keep my heart from being like those who feared people more than they feared God. Remove every desire in me to protect my image or reputation at the cost of truth. Give me courage to stand in honesty and obedience, even when it is uncomfortable.
Teach me, Father, to recognize and submit to Your authority without hesitation. Let me not pretend ignorance when You have already spoken, or delay obedience because of fear or convenience.
May my faith remain sincere, my response humble, and my life fully aligned with Your truth. Help me to listen, believe, and follow—not questioning who gave You authority, but trusting that all authority belongs to You.
Rooted in prayer, rejoicing in Christ.