Praying for Miracles

Around here in the spring, you can see these tiny birds that hop hop hop down a sidewalk, chirping with each move. They are looking for some goody, like a worm or a tasty bug. Movement and sound stops when the treasure is secured. Then the noise begins again as the bird lets us all know about it.

This reminds me of one of my best buddies. While diminutive in size, she’s a big-shouldered friend when it comes to prayer. She also breaths the Old Testament. She’s actually READ those minor prophets. More than once. Someone waxes Paulian and she, smiling, adds something related from Obadiah. And even though she’s concerned with Israel and the end times, she’s usually extremely UP, if you know what I mean.

It was a very different gal who stood with her husband at the end of Mike’s hospital bed the day after THE NEWS. Arms around each other’s waist, they prayed for us and then said, “We see no reason NOT to pray for a miracle.” And then they prayed again, something about healing…clean…gone…healthy. In the name of Jesus.

We know they are joined by many others who are praying for a miracle for Mike (and me). We know that some are praying as we would pray, that if it’s God’s will, please heal and if that’s not God’s will, then supply their needs as they face this illness.

My friend omits the addendum. Miracle. That’s what they’re asking for. Period. She gently chides us with James 4:2 (she knows the New Testament, also) “Ye have not because ye ask not.” Not her and her husband. They ask.

So, it’s no surprised that she was the first person to call me after we posted the update on this blog.

“Hi there, Love muffin!”

(I don’t know…)

“Aren’t you excited? Aren’t you just praising the Lord?” And then she reminded me of people who are praying for this miracle, every day, multiple times during the day.

And she’s pumped. Chirp.

We just love her to pieces but here’s the truth. Yes, we are praising the Lord. He is our constant companion these days and we’ve been given a gift of more time.

God has not asked us to pray for healing. He HAS asked us to trust Him and follow Him where He leads. We do and we will.

Excited? Well, no, not really. Please don’t let that dampen anyone else’s enthusiasm. What we are is STUNNED. The report was not what we expected nor what we thought we had prepared ourselves for. The good report left us numb. We need some of that extra time to digest it.

And as we were digesting breakfast the next morning, Mike asked me what I thought of it all. And I asked him. We both agree that we don’t have the faith to ask for healing. Another area for our friends to pray.

What we both confessed to each other: I had asked God for a terrific summer. Mike had asked for more time.

And we are praising God that He has heard our prayers and has answered them.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow;
Praise Him all creatures here below;
Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts;
Praise Father, Son and Holy Ghost.
Amen.