They were upset that the tree had been judged.

It started recovering and looking healthy again.

Pause, notice, and ask a humble question about what you have seen.

Explain it immediately as if you already understand everything.

Look for someone to blame before thinking about it.

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and that my heart is not right before God. I turn from my sin and need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I confess you as Lord, and I ask you to make me new and alive in you. Amen.

Make Me New

Lord, when your disciples saw your sudden work, they marveled. Do that in your Church again. Wake us from dullness, break our pride, and give us fresh awe, humble questions, and quick obedience. Make us alive to what you are doing, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Wake Us to Marvel Again

Father, thank you that your power is not limited by what seems fixed or dead. Thank you for the moments that wake us up and remind us to marvel. Keep my heart grateful and attentive to your works, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

For the God Who Acts Suddenly

Start by naming the surprising thing you saw or experienced. Ask God what he wants you to learn from it, confess any quick unbelief, and then ask for a humble heart that listens before it explains.

Pray With Honest Questions

Awe instead of cynicism; humility instead of quick explanations; attentiveness to God's work; a habit of asking honest questions when God acts unexpectedly.

Learning to Notice God's Work

Pray for someone who is skeptical, numb, or tired: that God would open their eyes to his power, give them room to ask honest questions, and lead them from surprise toward trust.

For the Skeptical and Weary

καὶ{KE###KEH###(And)} ἰδόντες{i-DON-tes###ee-DOHN-tehs###having seen} οἱ{EE###EE###the} μαθηταὶ{ma-thee-TE###mah-thee-TEH###disciples} ἐθαύμασαν{e-THAV-ma-san###eh-THAHV-mah-sahn###(they) marveled} λέγοντες·{LE-gon-tes###LEH-gohn-tehs###saying} Πῶς{POS###POHS###How} παραχρῆμα{pa-ra-KHREE-ma###pah-rah-KHREE-mah###at once} ἐξηράνθη{e-ksee-RAN-thee###eh-ksee-RAHN-thee###(it) withered} ἡ{HEE###HEE###the} συκῆ;{see-KEE###see-KEE###fig tree}

Matthew 21:20 — LiteralTAB

More on this verse