7 STEPS TO A MIRACLE

Acts 9:40-42"Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, 'Tabitha, get up.' She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up. He took her by the hand and helped her to her feet. Then he called the believers and the widows and presented her to them alive. This became known all over Joppa, and many people believed in the Lord."

Previously, in Acts 9:36-39, we learned that Tabitha (also called Dorcas), a much loved and valued female disciple had become ill and died. The disciples in Joppa (where she lived) learned Peter was visiting the nearby town of Lydda, so they sent for him. Peter arrived and after hearing them express their grief, now (verse 40) asks them to leave the room. I think we can learn a lot from the sequence of Peter's actions and God's response -- so let's look at each of these a little closer from the beginning:

1. Peter stopped what he was doing and responded (verse 38-39). All too often we are not used by God to participate in the miraculous -- not because we are incapable, but because we don't respond to the request.

2. Peter didn't try to talk them out of what they wanted him to do -- he didn't consider raising Dorcas from the dead to be preposterous or ridiculous. Many times the greatest obstacle to God's healing is our own skepticism.

3. Peter paid attention to the intensity of their grief -- he heard them. Our tendency is to want "just the facts." Her life (what she meant to them) was more important than the circumstances around her death.

4. Peter removed distractions (verse 40). Many times our emotions (and the emotions of those around us) greatly influence our ability to see and hear God -- a good place to start is to first remove all outside distractions -- find a quiet place -- both physically and emotionally.

5. Peter got down on his knees and prayed. When I am on my knees I have the right orientation in my relationship with God -- He is in control, I am not -- I can ask, but it is always His decision.

6. Peter assumed God had answered his prayer despite what his eyes told him -- he turned and asked the "dead woman" to open her eyes. Ask yourself this question: what would have happened if Peter had not asked Tabitha/Dorcas to open her eyes?

7. Peter finished strong -- he trusted in the strength of the miracle. Peter didn't run downstairs when Tabitha opened her eyes and ask everyone to come and see. Instead he helped her to her feet so everyone could see there was not just life but also strength in God's miracle.

Most of us can get through the first five steps without much of a problem -- it's the last two that can be the most challenging. When it comes right down to it, it is our faith that is tested and displayed when we say "open your eyes" or "take my hand and get up." When there is no one else around, how strong is your faith? When Peter spoke, "Open your eyes" he professed his faith and belief that God could and would answer his prayer.

Think back to the last time you prayed over someone who was ill or hurt -- did you ask for them to "open their eyes"? In other words, did you assume they were healed and begin to act accordingly, or did you continue to pray and grieve, hoping they would eventually get better? Do you truly believe in the strength and immediacy of God's healing power? I think God answers prayers when we not only ask but act as if He has done so -- that is real faith -- Peter kind of faith!

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