"When You're Hoping for a Miracle" in American Sign LanguageSample

Need a Miracle? First Identify the Problem
By Rick Warren

“Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied.” (Mark 6:41-42 NIV)

The first thing you need to do if you’re going to ask God for a miracle is to identify the problem.

In Mark 6, the problem is obvious. There’s a large crowd. It’s a remote location. There’s nothing to eat. What would you do? Jesus provided for the people, beyond their needs and expectations. Mark 6:41-42 says, “Taking the five loaves and two fish and looking up to heaven, he gave thanks and broke the loaves. Then he gave them to his disciples to distribute to the people. He also divided the two fish among them all. They all ate and were satisfied” (NIV).

Every miracle begins with a problem. If you don’t have a problem, you don’t need a miracle.

Do you have a problem? If you do, then have I got good news for you! You’re a candidate for a miracle. The starting point is to recognize there is a problem.

Take a few minutes and write down one problem in your life where you’d like to see a miracle. Then pray, and tell God about this problem.

Talk It Over

For what problem in your life do you need God to provide a miracle?

Do you expect God to provide for you, no matter how difficult your problem is? How is that expectation reflected in your prayers and attitude?

How does prayer change your hope for a miracle?