The Secret Behind Every Miracle

Well, now, friend, look at you wanderin’ up this way like a wide-eyed little rascally possum that just discovered a whole bucket plum full of fresh picked red apples left sittin’ out on the front porch. Ok, then, now come right on through this here gate and have yourself a seat on that ol’ chair right over there because the things we’re about to git to talkin’ about are sweeter and juicier than fresh, plump blackberries picked right off the vine and stronger than an old mule that knows how to pull the plow by heart. You see, I was watchin’ a lil’ ol’ determined woodpecker earlier today, tappin’ away on a fence post like he was tryin’ real hard to send some real important Morse code messages to the whole animal kingdom livin’ in forest. And right then I realized somethin’ that needed some serious consideration, “By golly, if that lil’ ol’ hard-workin’ bird knows exactly what he’s doin’, surely God’s people can learn to pray with real boldness and purpose, too.” That there idea plum went and wrapped itself right down deep within my soul like the quiet hush that rolls across a spring meadow at dusk. It brought Luke 11:1 to mind, where the disciples said, “Lord, teach us to pray.”

Now, friend, you gotta think real hard about this. Jesus was the absolute greatest miracle worker who ever walked this here ol’ earth. He healed the sick, raised the dead, and preached sermons that made the smartest scholars scratch their heads. Yet the disciples didn’t ask Him, “Lord, teach us to preach,” or “Lord, teach us to work miracles.” They asked Him to teach ‘em to pray. Why? Because they sho’-nuff saw that His power didn’t git started with His hands or His words. It plum started with His time alone with the Father.

Jesus said in John 15:5 that “without Him we can do nothing”. Not just a little. Not just some. No, siree! Plum, flat out nothing at all. Prayer is how we stay connected to Him. John 15:7 tells us that “abiding in Him opens the door for answered prayer”. Prayer just ain’t no last resort. It’s the real, genuine lifeline.

And, friend, the Father sure ain’t no kind of reluctant. He’s plum ready. He’s plum willing. And He’s sho’-nuff listenin’. All He asks is that we just come to Him in prayer.

Father, thank You for the gift of prayer. Teach me to pray with faith, with confidence, and with a heart that longs to be close to You. Help me abide in You every day. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Well, there it is, friend. Now let me lay this here real important truth right beside you the way a wise old beaver lays a sturdy log across the creek, real steady and plum sure. Prayer ain’t complicated. It ain’t fancy. It ain’t only reserved for the spiritual elite folks. It’s simply you talkin’ to the God who already knows your voice every day, plain anyway. So, pray like a meadowlark that can’t help but be singin’. Pray like a deer that knows exactly where to be findin’ the water and good grazin’. Pray because the Father is listenin’. Pray because the Lord is wantin’ to be hearin’ from you to be buildin’ a growin’ personal relationship with you. He delights in every bit of it! And, friend, when you do pray, you’ll find strength you never ever knew you had and an inner peace that plum settles down deeper in your soul than the long probin’ roots of an old Texas Live Oak tree.

With joy,

Gwen