Were You Part Of This Miracle?

Every week, I include in my newsletter my exhortation to “be a light and push back the darkness.” I give you a prayer. I know many of you have joined me in praying that prayer.

I add a couple more words to what is in the image. I pray, “Dear God, shine your light into this dark world, to expose and thwart evil, reveal truth, and guide our feet in the paths of peace.”

Last week, I believe we saw evidence of God answering that prayer as former President Donald Trump’s life was spared when he turned his head just enough, and just in time, for the bullet to only graze his ear rather than hit the bulls-eye of his head.

Many are calling it “a miracle” or “Providence.”

I call it an answer to people’s prayers. Perhaps yours.

Whatever your political views are, if you’re a follower of Christ you should be seeking peace, and praying for our leaders, as the Bible commands. We partner with God’s work in the world through our prayers.

I also find it interesting that Donald Trump was turning his head to look at a graphic of immigration statistics. What if the immigration issue had not arisen? Would Donald Trump still be alive today?

Could this be God “working all things together for good” as Romans 8:28 asserts?

Photo by Nonsap Visuals

Maybe I seem weird to you, but I try to look at everything through the lens of faith and the worldview of the Bible, since that claims to be the source of ultimate truth. The lens that affirms that God is ultimately in control, that prayer works and is powerful.
I pray, and I look for evidence of prayers answered, even in the news. Perhaps, especially in the news. I practice my discernment muscles to see where God is indeed exposing and thwarting evil, and revealing truth.

And I constantly pray that God will lead each of us and all of us in “the paths of peace.”

Does prayer always “work,” i.e. do things always work out as we ask?

Not completely. For one thing, we may not always ask for the exact right thing. I’m glad the Bible says the Holy Spirit sort of interprets our prayers to be in line with God’s will.

For another thing, though we have the privilege of partnering with God to effect changes in the world through prayer, our rule is not complete. Hebrews 2:8 says that while God intended mankind to rule the earth, through Christ, not everything is yet subjected to us or even Christ.

We live, as someone has said, in the “already and not yet.” Evil is not completely crushed yet.

Though Donald Trump’s life was spared last week, one other brave person, Corey Comperatore, was killed, and two other people were critically injured. Evil triumphed in those cases.

And yet, Corey’s brave act in protecting his family does speak of sacrifice and love, kingdom of God values. In this world, which the Bible says is “fallen” because of rebellion and disobedience to God, we do not yet see the full triumph of good over evil (Hebrews 32:8).

We do, however, get glimpses that good triumphs in the end, perhaps to give us hope. And God knows, we sorely need it right now.

The providential saving of Donald Trump’s life signals hope that God has not given up on America. If Trump had been killed, I shudder to think what the country and world would be facing right now.

Instead, we have examples of bravery, courage, the will to go on, and the reminder that God is in control of even the minute details of our lives and the world.

Photo by Wonderlane

Keep praying! God’s light needs to continue to shine to expose and thwart evil, reveal truth,, and guide our feet in the paths of peace. The story is not over yet. Answers to important questions still need to come to light.

Keep noticing! Look for ways God is shining his light. That will counteract, at least in part, the negativity.

And keep rejoicing whenever you see good triumph over evil, or God’s providential hand at work.

For a replay of the “Push Back the Darkness” prayer/Healing Code event, click here.