Quiet Miracles

<p>Elisha is an Old Testament prophet, and God performed many mighty miracles through him. He healed Naaman of leprosy (2 Kings 5), raised a dead boy back to life (2 Kings 4), and stopped the Aramean army from doing violence (2 Kings 6). But in the midst of these stories, we also read about some of the small, quiet miracles God performed through Elisha—answers to prayer for the specific needs of his friends.</p><p>. </p><p>In 2 Kings 4, a prophet’s widow is in a desperate situation: she can’t pay her debts, and her two sons may be forced into slavery. The only thing the woman has is a little olive oil, and so Elisha tells her to borrow as many empty jars as she can from her neighbors. With her door closed, and only her sons as witnesses, the woman begins to pour oil from her small container...and miraculously fills every single jar she borrowed! Her financial worries are over as she then sells the oil.</p><p>. </p><p>In 2 Kings 6, a group of prophets is cutting down trees near the Jordan River, and a borrowed ax head (made of iron) falls into the water. How can they repay the man who loaned them the tool? But then Elisha throws a stick into the water, and the iron ax head miraculously floats so they can retrieve it, and disaster is once again avoided.</p><p>. </p><p>Sometimes, God answers prayer with spectacular, awesome displays of miraculous power, but most of the time the answers come in quiet ways. Even if these answers to prayer may not technically be miracles, they are still evidence of God’s power and His care for creation. It’s important to remember that we can bring all our prayers to God—not just the “big” stuff, but all the concerns we have for ourselves and others. In big ways and small ways, God delights to hear and answer prayer! • Laura N. Sweet</p><p>.</p><p>• Why do you think God included stories of “quiet miracles” in the Bible?</p><p>.</p><p>• Have you ever experienced God answering a prayer? What happened?</p><p>.</p><p>• What kinds of problems are weighing on you today? Whether they s