We’ve been asking God for miracles lately. We serve a Mighty God, and we know that nothing is impossible for him (Matthew 19:26, Mark 9:23). We read in His Word, The Bible, that He hears the cries of the righteous and delivers them (Psalm 34:17), that there are things we don’t have because we don’t ask for them (James 4:2-3), and that the Father will give whatever we ask for in Jesus’ name (John 16:23-24).
As my husband, son, and I have been reading through the gospel of Luke and his book that tells of the Acts of the Apostles, we read again and again of miracles performed by Jesus directly or through those who believe in him, miracles of provision, of storms calmed, of prison escapes,of people healed and even raised from the dead. These accounts were written down by Luke, a physician, after careful investigation. They encourage us in our faith, proving that Jesus is the Son of God, has authority over all things, and cares about those who are in trouble.
As Christians who pray, we believe that we can cast all of our cares on God and trust Him to meet our needs. We have also known God to bless us in ways that go above and beyond our needs, showing us kindness in very personal ways. He does, indeed, give good gifts to His children!
Glorious Riches in Christ Jesus!
So now, as I face surgery in a couple of weeks to remove a tumor from my spinal cord and my husband has developed vertigo, we are asking our Mighty God to remove these infirmities from us, knowing that He is able. We have heard testimonies of such good gifts being given in our day, and we have experienced the work of His hand during health struggles before. We believe that miracles still happen. And we are not alone. As friends near and far have learned of my condition, they have prayed and continue to pray. Over the telephone, while hugging me, in a group at church, and in our living room, believers in Jesus Christ have prayed in His name for my healing. It is hard to express the appreciation I feel.
We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen.
My son told me last night that it is evident by the better sleep I’m getting and the minimal pain I’m experiencing that prayers are being heard and answered. Yes, I am taking medicine during these days of waiting, but I am also experiencing the grace and peace of God each day and night as I seek and trust Him and as petitions are made on my behalf. I would, naturally, prefer not to need the surgery. I believe what James, the half-brother of Jesus, wrote:
Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray over them and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years.Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:13-18)
There is debate in the church about whether God still performs miracles as he did during biblical times.
The Rescue through the Red Sea
I found Pastor John Piper’s reply to a college student’s question about the perceived absence of modern miracles very interesting. You can listen to it or read it HERE. Focus on the Family took on the topic Inconsistency in Miracles, Healings and Answers to Prayer in response to a woman’s question about her son’s heart being miraculously healed, but her husband’s cancer quickly taking his life.
Author Lee Strobel, a self-described skeptic and former atheist, has investigated modern miracles and added The Case for Miracles to his publications. During his interview on Life Today, Strobel insisted that
“We impoverish ourselves as Christians when we don’t invite the miraculous.”
So, we’re inviting. We believe that God sees and hears us, that he loves us, and that he is working ALL things together for good because we love Him and are called according to His purposes. (Romans 8:28) Seven years ago, we asked God to spare my husband from open-heart surgery by healing his defective valves. Instead, we walked through a successful, but very difficult time at the Cleveland Clinic that included not one, but two surgeries. That trial did not lessen our faith in God, but strengthened it. I am confident that God has a plan for me that will reveal His glory, with or without surgery.
At the Cleveland Clinic in November 2011
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. (James 1:2-4)