When You’re Praying for a Miracle

Miracles. We experience them every day— in the phone call that comes at just the right time or the verse that speaks to exactly what we need.

We see God’s miracles in the vastness of the ocean and hear them in the faint whisper of a mom’s voice while holding her newborn baby. But sometimes we face big, scary circumstances. We pray for a miracle, but through the struggles we face, our faith can start to fade.

It’s in those dark times, we can turn to the God’s Word, including stories of women in Scripture who experienced mighty miracles from God. 

These wonders recorded in the Bible open our eyes to the miracles surrounding us every day. They remind us, “… the Lord is God in heaven above and on the earth below,” (Deuteronomy 4:39 NIV).

A Woman Who Experienced a Miracle from God

“The Lord kept his word and did for Sarah exactly what he had promised. She became pregnant, and she gave birth to a son for Abraham in his old age” (Genesis 21:1-2).

God had big plans for Sarah and her husband Abraham. Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars he saw in the sky (Genesis 15:5). Yet Sarah didn’t trust the truth of that promise because of her age. She decided to intervene and give God a little help. So she gave her servant Hagar to Abraham and instructed him to have children through her. In time, Hagar gave birth to Abraham’s first born son, Ishmael.

Have you ever tried to take matters into your own hands? Maybe you questioned whether you heard God right. So many times we doubt God’s ability to follow through on a promise, when all we need to do is trust.

So why is trusting God so hard? Why does our faith fizzle out in the waiting? 

If you are waiting on an answer from God right now, find encouragement in Sarah’s story. Because even in her doubt – even though she laughed when the angel told Abraham she would have a child – God still performed a miracle. Sarah experienced the miracle birth of her son Isaac.

Maybe the miracle you’re trusting God to provide seems impossible. Do not lose hope, my friend. We often imagine the answer to prayer the way we want it, but God has even better plans. He doesn’t always answer the way we expect, but He is always faithful.

Let’s keep praying for our miracles today, trusting God to work in our lives according to His timing, His plan, and His will. 

We can start with this prayer together:

Dear Heavenly Father,

I need a miracle in my situation.

I’ve been praying and praying, but I don’t see anything happening. I know you are working, Lord. Even when I can’t see it or feel it. You are always moving on my behalf. You have a plan, and I choose to trust in you.

Thank you for the inspiration you give in the Bible to help me have faith when I start to doubt. Even when we doubt, your plan still prevails. Thank you for all the times in my life when you’ve been faithful. Sometimes you answer prayer the way I want, and other times the answer comes in a different way than I expected. But you are always with me— guiding, comforting, and working all things together for my good.

You are a miracle-worker, and I know you haven’t forgotten me. As I pray for my miracle, I will keep trusting you, whatever the outcome. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A portion of this post was taken from Kristine’s article on Crosswalk.com, “10 Women in the Bible Who Experienced a Miracle.”

Being a Woman Who Takes Risks for God

Several years ago, I had a ministry opportunity come calling. Literally.

That was the first time I realized how much I struggled with taking risks for God.

After spending days analyzing the possible outcomes of stepping out in faith, I withdrew. Remember our devotion last week? The one about Abigail and her bold action? I guess you could say I did just the opposite of what Abigail would do, but I also learned something important about myself. I wanted to discover how to become a woman who isn’t afraid to take a risk when God asks.

So I began with a question:

What am I afraid will happen if I take this risk?

Fear is a wicked foe in our lives. It comes in disguised as other things. We may believe we’re proceeding with caution or using discernment, both of which are good things. So how do we know what is holding us back? How do we separate an unholy fear from the Holy Spirit’s promptings to stay put?

Thankfully, we can look to God’s Word and pray for guidance. He is faithful to lead us and give us peace, whether we take the risk or see warning signs ahead.

A Woman Who Trusted God with Her People

When I asked myself the question above, the answer became clear. I was afraid of how my decision would affect my family. And although it’s wise for us to consider how open doors will affect our loved ones, we can’t give into fear over their future. We need to trust God with the people we love most when we move ahead with His calling.

One woman in the Bible who demonstrated trusting God with her people was named Joanna. She took a risk, even when it could’ve meant life or death. Her story gives us a great example of risk-taking faith.

“Soon afterward Jesus began a tour of the nearby towns and villages, preaching and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom of God. He took his twelve disciples with him, along with some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases. Among them were Mary Magdalene, from whom he had cast out seven demons; Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s business manager...” Luke 8:1-3 NLT

Joanna’s name is only mentioned briefly in Scripture. But the words used to describe her show her willingness to go where her Savior led and help in whatever way she could. Joanna was among the devoted women who traveled with Jesus during his time on earth. She either had a terrible disease or was overcome by evil spirits. Jesus healed her, restored her, and accepted her.

Most amazing of all, Joanna supported Jesus and the apostles “out of her own means,” (Luke 8:3). Why was this such an integral detail in Joanna’s story? Joanna had connections with Herod the Tetrarch. Her husband Chuza held an important job at the palace. He was Herod’s household manager - his right hand man.

We remember Herod the Tetrarch as the one responsible for having John the Baptist beheaded. Luke 23:11 reveals how he treated Jesus. “Herod and his soldiers ridiculed and mocked him.” Yet the wife of the man appointed to oversee his entire estate faithfully followed Jesus. 

She also supported Jesus’ ministry with her family’s finances. Joanna’s role in Jesus’ ministry was a risk, but her connections to the palace didn’t deter her from her calling. She gladly risked it all for her Lord. 

God rewarded Joanna for her dedication. She was among the first to see the empty tomb and learn that Jesus Christ - her Healer and Deliverer - had risen, just as he promised. Instead of caving to fear, Joanna trusted God to take care of her and her people. 

God is faithful. When we feel compelled to take a risk for Him, we can trust Him with our family’s future.

Blessings,

Kristine

A portion of this devotion is an excerpt from an article by Kristine Brown, “3 Women in the Bible Who Took a Big Risk,” originally published on Crosswalk.com.