A few years ago I attended a workshop at the Dubuque Theological Seminary. One session involved the issues of change and the general discussion within the group centered on the same old themes: people don’t like change, change is necessary but hard, change generally results in pain, and so forth. A husband and wife pastor team from Guatemala spoke up. They said that it seems like the church in the United States has lost its way in prayer and expecting miracles. They said that back home where they live, their church always expect miracles and they always intentionally pray for guidance and expect miracles to happen.
You know, I believe they are spot on. Intentional, humble prayer to God in the name of Jesus will always get a response. I vividly remember when people are called to Christ in the middle of a worship service, when miracles of healing and comfort occur. In one case, a young woman severely addicted to pain killers came to our church one Sunday simply because it was hot outside and cool in the church. God called her that day and she walked out the door clean of all drugs and has never turned back in 15 years now. Her healing had a profound impact on the congregation that day: they witnessed God’s healing power through the Holy Spirit.
I felt led to share this message with you all. In the quest to identify and analyze what works and does not work, may I suggest that what works best is intentional prayer and expecting miracles.