First-century magic (witchcraft) forced the gods' will to obey the practitioner. A distorted Mark 11 teaching that sources miracles in MY will rather than God's will moves into the realm of magic, not prayer.

Austrian scholar Alphonse Barb: "The magician forces the supernatural to accomplish what he desires... whereas the religious man submits to the will of the deity." From Sharon Dowd, quoting the Roman poet Lucan (a contemporary of Mark): Thessalian witches used "impious spells" to "force the reluctant gods to pay heed." A distorted Mark 11 teaching that makes miracles source in MY will (I declare, I believe, therefore God must act) essentially replicates the structure of first-century magic/witchcraft rather than biblical prayer. Biblical prayer: God initiates, I respond in faith. Magic: I initiate, God is forced to respond. This historical context illuminates why Jesus emphasizes "not my will but yours" — to distinguish prayer from sorcery.