{"id":160,"date":"2021-12-14T01:00:53","date_gmt":"2021-12-14T07:00:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/newgenerationsexplorefaith\/?p=160"},"modified":"2022-09-14T16:01:46","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T22:01:46","slug":"was-jesus-an-example-of-the-miracles-we-can-expect","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.patheos.com\/blogs\/newgenerationsexplorefaith\/2021\/12\/was-jesus-an-example-of-the-miracles-we-can-expect\/","title":{"rendered":"Is prayer a conveyor belt of miracles? Part 7 of Why Pray?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<\/head>

Was Jesus an example of the miracles we can expect?<\/h2>\n

Jesus did miracles primarily to show his authority, certainly not to cause belief, or to attract attention as a magic sideshow. Each miracle pointed beyond himself to God. He healed lepers, the blind, raised the dead, and walked on water. Jesus was compassionate; he couldn\u2019t avoid doing miracles when he saw need.1<\/sup><\/p>\n

But then he said that believers could move mountains.2<\/sup> Hmm. That really would be a miracle.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Moving Mountains
Image by Kate Wheeler on Flickr<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Has anyone seen a mountain moved?<\/h2>\n

We could guess that there have never been any believers because none of us have seen a mountain moved by prayer. None of us have walked on water that I\u2019m aware of. Some of us can\u2019t even float. But I think Jesus\u2019 point is that we can accomplish seemingly impossible things, by using what is given us, and with other\u2019s and God\u2019s help.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s like the story of the man in a flood who sat on the roof of his house waiting to be rescued by God. He drowned. God then said to him, I sent you a boat and a helicopter, so why didn\u2019t you let them rescue you?<\/p>\n

Like that man who drowned waiting for God, we can\u2019t see God in others. People don\u2019t wear a \u201cGod\u201d name badge on their chest like the police and fire department employees. God is in us and works through each of us. We need to accept that.<\/p>\n

We are all instruments of God<\/h3>\n

For example, we have vaccines that prevent major diseases, made by many scientists who are religious. Yes, I have known many scientists and many are religious, or are not \u201creligious\u201d but have a \u201cmeasure of faith.\u201d According to Pew Research<\/a>, around 51% of scientists believe in a higher power. We have wonder drugs developed by them that help heal or prevent disease.<\/p>\n

We have construction that prevents deaths from heat and cold, and prevents purveyors of disease such as rats, insects, and waste products. We have wonderful agricultural methods that feed the multitudes. The question is, \u201cWhy don\u2019t we use what God has given us through others?\u201d We\u2019re not alone.<\/p>\n

Take Home Points<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Jesus did miracles to show his authority from God. Miracles aren\u2019t done to cause belief. Jesus\u2019 point is that we can accomplish seemingly impossible things, by using what is given us, and with other\u2019s and God\u2019s help.<\/p>\n

Pray and keep communicating with God. It works.<\/p>\n

Series Links<\/em><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Why Pray? Series Part 1<\/a><\/p>\n

Who does prayer work for?<\/a><\/p>\n

Expectations of prayer<\/a><\/p>\n

Some think they deserve to suffer and die<\/a><\/p>\n

Consider our own attitude<\/a><\/p>\n

Does God intervene in nature?<\/a><\/p>\n

Is prayer a conveyor belt of miracles?<\/a><\/p>\n

Is the action of God in the universe responsible for much?<\/a><\/p>\n

Criticism of studies on prayer, and of science<\/a><\/p>\n

Science and philosophy have their own standard: 100%<\/a><\/p>\n

Prayer works<\/a><\/p>\n

Our answer is God. God\u2019s answer is us. Together we make the world a better place. <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u2013 Dorian<\/p>\n

Other Patheos writers on prayer<\/a><\/p>\n

References<\/h2>\n
    \n
  1. What the Bible Says About Jesus\u2019 Miracles<\/a>. Bible Tools org.<\/li>\n
  2. Matthew 17:20<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Was Jesus an example of the miracles we can expect? Jesus did miracles primarily to show his authority, certainly not to cause belief, or to attract attention as a magic sideshow. Each miracle pointed beyond himself to God. He healed lepers, the blind, raised the dead, and walked on water. Jesus was compassionate; he couldn\u2019t […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4612,"featured_media":164,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[67,70],"class_list":["post-160","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized","tag-jesus-miracles","tag-we-are-instruments-of-god"],"yoast_head":"\nIs prayer a conveyor belt of miracles? Part 7 of Why Pray? Is prayer a conveyor belt of miracles?<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Was Jesus an example of the miracles we can expect? 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