You know, I found out a long time ago that some play fast and loose with God, as if they can use His Word back at Him (like He doesn't know it already) and make demands of Him.
Yes, we can approach the throne of God boldly but the whole time, we must remember, He is God, not a puppet. In fact, it is us who should emptied out and filled with His hand. We should be His puppet.
I believe that's when we're really applying the scripture-when God is speaking through us. When we speak (I believe He is speaking metaphorically here) mountains can be moved but it is the mountain God speaks to through us--not some incantation we believe He has to respond to because we declared it.
Mark 11:23: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith.
I'm just going to be honest. I don't believe I can tell a mountain (figuratively, once again referring to the great hardships of life) to be removed and put into the sea without at least some minuscule doubt in my heart. But if I am walking so closely with the Creator of the Universe that He says to me: Cast that mountain into the sea, I believe it would happen if I obeyed - not because it was my request but because it was a command of God given through me.
Does it seem as though I'm mincing words? I don't think so.
If I have faith the size of a grain of a mustard seed, Jesus also declares, I could cast that mountain into the sea. Since the tiny mustard seed grows into a very large tree, I believe He is speaking of the kind of faith that grows and flourishes.
Yes, that kind of relationship with God builds a mountain-casting-into-the-sea kind of faith.
When I'm facing a mountain of trouble in my life, it is not through my own self-proclaimed "standing on God's promises" type of demand that I cast those troubles away.
It is when I bow myself in humble prayer--prayer that takes me into His throne room where I lay those troubles at His feet while believing on His mightiness, His love and His wisdom that the problem is handled.
Then, when peace floods my soul and lets me know that His Holy Spirit is in control and at work, I can rest knowing the trouble is in God's hands.
I believe that's how we move mountains.