Unforgiveness Short Circuits Prayers | Mark 11:25

The Daily Devotional by Vince Miller

Welcome to The Daily, where we study the Bible verse by verse, chapter by chapter, every day.

Today's shout-out goes to Calvin Tilman from Valley View, TX. Thank you for standing with us throughout Project 23. You’re helping grow faith that’s deep, rooted, and bold. This one’s for you.

Our text today is Mark 11:25:

And whenever you stand praying, forgive, if you have anything against anyone, so that your Father also who is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.” — Mark 11:25

Jesus just finished teaching about bold, mountain-moving prayer. But now he adds a critical detail: forgiveness. Jesus says, “Whenever you stand praying, forgive.”

Why? Because unforgiveness short-circuits prayer. You can pray with passion. You can pray with persistence. But if your heart is harboring bitterness, something is blocked. Unforgiveness is a spiritual deadbolt. It locks up your heart, hardens your spirit, and hinders the flow of grace, not just toward others, but also from God to you.

Jesus isn’t suggesting forgiveness. He’s commanding it. He’s saying: Don’t come into God’s presence asking for power while holding onto poison.

Prayer isn’t just about talking to God—it’s also about being shaped by God. And when we pray, one of the clearest signs that God is shaping us is our willingness to forgive. This doesn’t mean trust is instantly restored. It doesn’t mean consequences disappear. But it does mean releasing others from the debt they owe you, just as God released you.

So here’s the challenge: Don’t just pray for mountains to move—pray for your heart to soften. Because some of the most immovable mountains in your life might be made of unforgiveness that lies in your heart.

#ForgiveAndPray, #GraceFirst, #Mark11

ASK THIS:

1. Why does Jesus tie forgiveness to prayer?
2. What happens spiritually when we refuse to forgive?
3. Is there someone you’re still holding a grudge against?
4. What would it look like to forgive them as God forgave you?

DO THIS:

Who is the person you need to forgive today, before I ask God for anything else?

PRAY THIS:

Father, help me forgive others the way you’ve forgiven me. I don’t want to carry bitterness—I want to walk in the freedom of grace. Amen.

PLAY THIS:

“Forgiveness” by Matthew West.