Should I Pray for a Miracle?

In a world where we are constantly looking for the miraculous, it is easy to forget how the times were back in the days of Jesus. When I find myself begging for the latest miracle, it sometimes helps me to remember that miracles were not a given by any stretch...even when Jesus himself was walking the Earth, healing the sick and raising the dead. Jesus knew the difference between asking for proof and asking for a miracle.

He said...

"A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas." And he left them, and departed. --Matthew 16:4

Jesus was speaking to the Pharisees and responding to their repeated requests for a "sign from Heaven" that he was, in fact, the Messiah. Of course, the Pharisees were actually looking for Him to do something that they could charge Him for in the courts. They eventually would do just that, and crucify Him on the Cross, of course. Jesus knew this was coming, but look at how He responded to them in the verse above.

Rather than curse them, He refers them to Jonas. Jonas was, of course, the man that found himself in the belly of the whale and doubting the Lord. Even with His impending death looming in front of Him, Jesus was trying to save His tormentors. Little did they know He would soon die for us all on the cross.

In spite of His efforts to save them, He still provides them no miracles. Why provide miracles to the sick, weak, and ailing but deny them to the Pharisees? To understand this you have to consider the intent of the requests. If you remember, Jesus is almost instantly challenged by the Devil. The Devil takes Him up on the mountain and challenges Him to jump, as well as other miracles. Jesus refuses saying not to tempt God.

With the Pharisees, the intention was like that of the Devil, and with Evil intent. They had only interest in proving Him wanting, and incapable of such miracles. They did not have Faith. They were unwilling to accept that Jesus was the Messiah and Jesus knew it. He was not going to answer a miracle request simply to prove Himself to a hardened heart that wanted only to disprove Him.

This brings us to now. We often find ourselves facing hardships and health scares, among many other serious problems. What do we do? Is it wrong to pray for miracles? Of course it is not wrong. God wants us to come to Him. The difference is this...

You can pray for miracles with total confidence if you are willing to accept God's answer. This last part is the part that most people have problems with. We have to be willing to accept that God may have a better plan than our miracle. It may be larger than our minds can bear, and we may not even see it at first. Rather than pray for a miracle, we can pray that He does what is best for us or what is best for the Kingdom. God always does the best possible thing for us and the world in the long run. We just often miss seeing this through the pain of the flesh. Ask for your miracle, but with a heart that understands that God knows best. Trust Him with all of your heart and feel confident that He will meet your needs.

Over time, you will see His plan in all of its Glory. It may come now or it may come in God's time, but it will come. Of this I am certain. Remember that God loves you with all of His heart, and He is there even when you are not aware of it. Just whisper His name. Do not try to trick Him into proving Himself. If your faith is lacking, then ask for His help directly with that. He will help you every single time.