Bible story

Cursing Of The Fig Tree Prayer

A short, Scripture-shaped bible story prayer for an ordinary moment of Christian faith.

Read the prayer

A prayer to pray now

Lord Jesus,

You saw a fig tree full of leaves but no fruit. You were not fooled by how it looked. You see me the same way.

I have places in my life that look good on the outside but are empty inside. I go through the motions. I look busy. But there is no real fruit.

Do not let me be all show and no substance. Do not let the look of devotion take the place of real devotion.

Search my life. Show me where I have leaves but no fruit. Heal what can be healed. Cut away what is only pretending.

I do not want to impress anyone. I want to bear real fruit for You.

Amen.

How to pray it

Read it slowly. Move through this prayer one line at a time, out loud if you can, letting each phrase land before the next.
Make it personal. Pause where a line meets your day and name the person, fear, or hope it touches before God.
Carry it with you. Keep one sentence with you — on your phone or in your pocket — and return to it when the day gets loud.

Pray these slowly, one line at a time. Scripture quoted from a public-domain translation.

Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, he came to see if perhaps he might find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs.
Mark 11:13
and because he didn’t need for anyone to testify concerning man; for he himself knew what was in man.
John 2:25

When should I pray cursing of the fig tree prayer?

Pray it whenever the words fit your moment — at the start of the day, in a hard stretch, or when you simply want to turn toward God.

Which Bible verses anchor this prayer?

This prayer is anchored in Mark 11:13, John 2:25. The "Verses to pray" section above quotes them in full.

Can I save or share this prayer?

Yes. Use the Copy prayer button to copy the words, or open the Chosen Portion app to keep a daily prayer, devotional, and Scripture with you.