Week 1 || Day 6
PURPOSE OF PRAYER: TO HELP ENABLE MIRACLES IN OUR LIVES!
Prayer can work miracles! But what is a miracle? According to the 18th-century Scottish philosopher named David Hume, a miracle is a “violation of the laws of nature.” Miracles were present in the Old Testament, in the New Testament, and are still present! Looking back into the Old Testament, the prophet Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den solely for his insistence on praying to God, and God alone. In the lions’ den, his prayers continued. Angels appeared to close the mouths of the ravenous lions. The priest, Elijah, prayed in I Kings 18 that God would show the people that He was the one true God by consuming a water-soaked sacrifice in fire from Heaven. Elijah called out to God and God answered! God loves to show Himself powerful! Over and over in Scripture we see examples of Jesus performing miracles as an answer to prayer as well.
When we spend time in daily prayer, it is possible to experience miracles in our lives and the lives around us. Keep your eyes, ears and hearts open to seeing miracles, though. They may often be more subtle than we think. Miracles are not limited to someone being raised from the dead or seas being parted. They come in many forms, which could include:
Healing
Forgiveness of sins
Unexplainable peace in our circumstances
Supernatural wisdom
Altering of our circumstances
Hindering Satan’s plans
A needed, permanent shift in our mindset
Provision (financial or otherwise)
There is no specific formula for how to pray for God to work miracles in your life. However, we must come with humility and boldness.
Huh? How do we do both?
The writer to the Hebrews said, “Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us . . . let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings . . . .” (Hebrews 10:19-22 CSB)
Humility isn’t an “awe-shucks” smile and boldness isn’t a bossy demand. Humility means we approach God with a sincere heart and boldness means we come with full assurance through our faith. Humility is recognizing God’s greatness in relation to us and boldness is knowing that, in His greatness, He welcomes us as sons and daughters, by the sacrifice of Jesus’ death on the cross.
Illustration:
Missionary Mary Geegh gives an account of seeking God when in need of a miracle. Mary had obeyed God when He told her to give a woman in her village an egg, despite it being an odd request. When she gave the egg to the woman the woman was excited and confused and asked aloud how Mary had come to give it to her. Mary told about “listening to God” and being obedient. The woman explained to Mary that there had not been enough food for the entire family so she had not eaten. The egg had been so satisfying! The woman was so thrilled about what God had done for her that from that day on, the woman and her family began seeking God through prayer.
“One day the youngest child, a two month old baby, became very sick with pneumonia. The doctor came for several days, but the child grew steadily worse. Finally, the doctor gave up all hope for the child’s recovery. The next morning when the doctor came, he said the life was gone. At noon the father came to tell me the child had died. Would I come and offer a prayer for their comfort before the burial? I told him, ‘I have promised God that I will have the “listening” prayer for people in times of sorrow and trouble, so that they may receive His direct comfort and guidance.’ He consented to have a ‘quiet time’ of ‘listening’ prayer with the family. I went. The whole family sat in a circle around the coffin. As we sat there quietly, a quick thought came to me—‘Get antiphlogistine and cotton.’ I told the oldest son, ‘Go quickly to the market. Get a large jar of antiphlogistine and a large roll of cotton.’ He went and returned quickly with both. Then I told the family, ‘ The Lord has given this thought. He alone knows there is a spark of life in your child. Let us take him from the coffin to the kitchen, heat the clay and spread it on his chest and back, and wrap him in the cotton and in a blanket.’ We did this and then waited. Yes, for nearly five hours…and then…the child opened his eyes! Great was the rejoicing of all the family and their faith in God’s guidance was deeply strengthened. The child grew to be a fine young man, and he is a living witness to the wonder and blessing of the guidance of the Holy Spirit.” (Mary Geegh, God Guides)
Kids SEEK, too!
*Note to caretakers: Encourage kids to pray for miracles! There are numerous accounts in the Bible of miracles and Jesus told us we would do even greater things than He did! Kids are often far better at believing God at His Word than adults are. Don’t feel as though you need to prove God or step in for God; He will reveal Himself. Do, however, make sure you take the prayers to God as well.
Kids’ Illustration:
“Dr. Helen Roseveare, missionary to Zaire, told the following story. “A mother at our mission station died after giving birth to a premature baby. We tried to improvise an incubator to keep the infant alive, but the only hot water bottle we had was beyond repair. So we asked the children to pray for the baby and for her sister. One of the girls responded. ‘Dear God, please send a hot water bottle today. Tomorrow will be too late because by then the baby will be dead. And dear Lord, send a doll for the sister so she won’t feel so lonely.’ That afternoon a large package arrived from England. The children watched eagerly as we opened it. Much to their surprise, under some clothing was a hot water bottle! Immediately the girl who had prayed so earnestly started to dig deeper, exclaiming, ‘If God sent that, I’m sure He also sent a doll!’ And she was right! The heavenly Father knew in advance of that child’s sincere requests, and 5 months earlier He had led a ladies’ group to include both of those specific articles.” - David Dykes, Character Out of Chaos
Kids’ Activities for Today’s Prayer Focus:
Sometime miracles are really obvious. Sometimes, though, we have to keep our eyes open to see them! We get to have fun searching for them! Take a minute to search for things in this Bible Story
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Bible:
“A vast crowd brought to Him people who were lame, blind, crippled, those who couldn’t speak, and many others. They laid them before Jesus, and He healed them all.” (Matthew 15:30 ESV)
“I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12 NLT)
“By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has completely healed him, as you can all see.” (Acts 3:16 NIV)
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Quote for Today:
"Prayer lays hold of God's plan and becomes the link between his will and its accomplishment on earth. Amazing things happen, and we are given the privilege of being the channels of the Holy Spirit's prayer." - Elisabeth Elliot
“The most incredible thing about miracles is that they happen.” - G.K. Chesterton
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Points to Ponder:
Our prayer can initiate miracles in our lives and other peoples’ lives as well!
An issue that can be a difficult hurdle for people to overcome in regards to miracles is that it doesn’t always “work”. We would argue that Jesus said His followers would do even greater things than he did! It is our job to pray and obey - the outcome is God’s job! Has God instructed you to pray for a miracle? Take some time today to pray for it!
Another reason people often shy away from praying for miracles is because they don’t want to be disappointed. We must be willing to come with our miracle-prayers, willing to adore and worship God even if He doesn’t provide the miracles we want or need. In Daniel 3, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were being thrown into a furnace for praying to God. They believed God would save them (and He did!) but they didn’t allow their faith to waver even if God didn’t provide the miracles. In speaking to the king, who was throwing them into the blazing inferno, they said, “‘If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God whom we serve is able to save us. He will rescue us from your power, Your Majesty. But even if he doesn’t, we want to make it clear to you, Your Majesty, that we will never serve your gods or worship the gold statue you have set up.’” (Daniel 3:17-18 NLT)
Are there any miracles you are needing? Are there miracles others are needing? Pray boldly! But even if God doesn’t answer the way you’d like, hold fast to faith in Him!
We must pray in Jesus’ name! It is in Jesus’ name that we are healed.
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CLOSING PRAYER: Lord Jesus, I thank you that you are so good. Your name is powerful and at your name, every thing on earth must bow. Mountains tremble and oceans roar. At your name, demons flee. Your precious name commands that every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that you are Lord. In your mighty name, Jesus, I lift up my prayer. I thank you that you have plans for me that are for good and your glory. Your Word says that you are the God who performs miracles! With your mighty arm, you redeemed your people and rescued them from distress. I pray that you would perform miracles in my life, Lord, to display your power and glory. Increase my faith to trust in you. You are the miracle-working God. You turned water into wine. You restored sight to the blind and made the deaf to hear. You made the lame walk and you healed the sick. You raised the dead. Everything you touch is able to be powerfully transformed. I want my life to be powerfully transformed! I want my prayers to recognize that you are a miracle-working God who loves us. And all of this I pray in the might name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
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