"And he did not do many miracles there because of their lack of faith." (Matt
13:58 NIV)
"He could not do any miracles there, except lay his hands on a few sick people
and heal them. And he was amazed at their lack of faith." (Mark 6:5-6 NIV)
I once was asked why God's miracles are more prevalent in poorer countries than
they are in the Western world. Why don't we see more miracles here in North
America? Ever since I was asked this question, it's been bothering me.
I have discovered that in the Western world, we lack one important ingredient to
receiving answers to our prayers. What we lack is eager anticipation that our
prayers will be answered!
So often we utter a prayer in the morning and then forget all about it by early
afternoon. And often our prayers are answered, but because of our frenzied
schedule and our hectic attitude, we literally miss the boat! We don't even
realize that God has bestowed His grace upon us! When this happens, we can't
thank the Lord for what He's done, because we don't realize we have anything to
be thankful for!
Sadly, we miss out on a wonderful opportunity to enter into a closer
relationship with our Heavenly Father. We also sadly miss out on our opportunity
to deepen our faith in our Provider!
Is it possible that we have become too dependent on our own efforts to obtain
answers to our prayers? Have we neglected the child-like faith that our Heavenly
Daddy will come through for us? Is it possible that the reason we, in the
Western world, are too suspicious, the reason we haven't developed enough faith,
is because we just can't trust anyone? Not even our Provider? Are we more
willing to receive than to commit?
The following testimonies of miracles have been sent in by three of our prayer
warriors, one from Nigeria, one from India and the other one from Kenya.
Child-like faith in the One through whom everything is possible indeed opens the
door to God-size miracles and opportunities to getting to know Him more
intimately!
"Five years ago, my sister suffered from cerebrospinal meningitis. She lives
thousands of miles away and I couldn't see her. I just got the call but could
not speak to her because - I was told - she was unconscious (it was that
serious). For the next two days, I was frantic with fear for her life. I was
praying for her, and also got some Christians I know to pray for her. At last, I
was able to speak to her, for only a few seconds. God heard our prayers and she
slowly started to mend.
After about two weeks, she was discharged from hospital but alas, she had lost
her hearing! She was taken to E.N.T specialists who, after the tests, declared
that she would never hear again unless she used an artificial hearing aid. We
were all dismayed. We continued to pray for her. When she became strong enough,
she came home and I went to see her. I cried when I found I could no longer talk
to my sister except I used signs.
During her stay at home (they had granted her a sick leave, to recuperate) she
indicated her desire to attend a crusade that was held by a catholic priest who
was richly endowed by the Holy Spirit. She was taken there and, believe it or
not, came back hearing!. Well, she couldn't hear very well at first but the
healing continued to manifest with amazing speed. Within two days, she could
hold normal conversations and today, you would never know that she has ever
suffered hearing loss. Praise God!" Nkiru Ugwu
Nkiru@answers2prayer.org from
Nigeria
"I came to know about Jesus when I was 15 yrs old at that time I was sick. I had
an injury on my right leg. The wound was not getting cured and the septic had
reached till my knees. I was afraid whether I would loose my leg but one of my
friends introduced me to Jesus one night, when I was in terrible pain. He prayed
for me and when I gave my life to Jesus I was completely healed.
Since then God has been with me and my family. GOD gave me a wonderful church
and a pastor through whom I learned so many things. Today I am pastoring my own
church in Pune for the last 5yrs. I and my wife we will try our best to be a
help Answer2prayer . Please ray for us and our church Light of Life." Atul
Bansode
Atul@answers2prayer.org
from Pune, India.
"This my testimony that God hears, answers and that His way are truly
mysterious and amazing.
Over the festive season of December 2008 I was visiting my nephew Kennedy in
Nairobi and on Sunday 28th joined his young family at their local Redeemed
Gospel Church. In the course of prayer the pastor by name Prophet Zack revealed
that he had received a prosphesy regarding a visitor to the church. Let me say
at this juncture that even my nephew being quite young did not have much
information about me and my history. So when the Pastor picked me out from the
other visitors and proceeded to talk about my turbulent and hectic past, I was
amazed!
He talked about my family separation, job loss from a senior civil service
position, a motor vehicle lost in a shady deal, money poorly invested, my lost
passport and travel documents, my previous battle of 25 years with alcohol, my
rampant womanizing, my love for short time pleasure, my lack of serious
commitment to anything tangible etc etc!
The Prophet read my life file in a way I myself could not have done it! It was
divinely inspired.
In his prophesy, he said 2009:
1. Would be my breakthrough year in all aspects of my life.
2. All shackles holding me back would be broken.
3. That the holding job i was the having would pave way for what i should have
been doing all along. "This brother is manager material"-were his words.
4. That God would use me in a special way to reach His people.
5. That family reconciliation was coming.
All the prophesies are being fulfilled one by one! The prayers of the righteous
are powerful.
1. The year 2009 is indeed bringing breakthroughs in many areas.
2. Whatever hold the evil one was having on me is gone for now i experience a
kind peace that surpasses all understanding.
3. Have now gotten a worthy job as a Trainer &Trainings Coordinator with a
consulting firm in Nairobi.
4. What we are doing through Answers2prayers is truly special. At my local
church i do coordinate Sunday service scripture reading.
5. Me and my separated spouse are now able to meet, discuss and plan about our
children, whereas before even a telephone conversation was out!
Prophet Zack continues to strengthen me and reminds that blessed are those who
wait upon the Lord.
My life and the positive changes in my life is a true testimony of the power of
prayer, faith and His endless grace and mercy.
Glory be to God now and ever!" Sammy Mwate
Sammy@answers2prayer.org from
Nairobi, Kenya.
Our loving Heavenly Father is still in the miracle business. But are we willing
to completely trust Him with eager anticipation, no matter what happens to us?
Rob Chaffart
The Illustrator: This daily newsletter is dedicated to encouraging
everyone to look towards Jesus as the source of all the solutions to our
problems. It contains a daily inspirational story, a Bible verse and encouraging
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