Faith, Miracles, And God’s Presence

Life often feels like a series of decisions, each branching into countless possibilities. You might wonder, does God predestine everything, or do we have the freedom to shape our lives? The truth is both profound and reassuring: God’s sovereignty embraces human agency, and His promise is to be with us in all of it.

God is not limited by time or human logic. While we experience life one moment at a time, God sees the entire picture— every possible decision, every consequence, and every intersection of lives across the universe. Yet, He doesn’t remove His presence when we falter or take a wrong turn.

Whether you see God as orchestrating everything or allowing human agency to unfold, His promise remains: “I am with you.” (Matthew 28:20) This is the truth that carries us through life’s uncertainties.

We don’t need perfect understanding to rest in this promise. It’s okay to wrestle with questions of predestination and free will.  Authors of the Bible, and the early church, leaned into this tension too. God’s presence doesn’t depend on whether you choose correctly—it depends on His unchanging character.

We often think of our lives as linear: childhood, adulthood, milestones, and eventually, the end. But God views our lives differently. He sees every moment—past, present, and future— simultaneously.

This perspective reminds us to trust that God is with us- working in, through, and around us- even when we can’t see the full picture. For example, consider a challenging season in your life. While it may feel endless in the moment, you are not alone. God is with you. God sees how this season connects to healing and His in-breaking Kingdom.

This is why Jesus’ teachings often shift the focus from controlling outcomes to living faithfully. When the disciples struggled with understanding how to pray, Jesus simplified it:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:9-10, NIV)

It’s not about perfect words or predicting the future. It’s about aligning your heart with God’s and trusting Him to guide you.

Consider Mary’s role at the wedding in Cana (John 2:1-11). When the wine ran out, she turned to Jesus, acknowledging His presence and asking for a miracle. Despite His initial response, Mary told the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.”

This story offers a framework for how we approach miracles:

1. Acknowledge God’s Presence: Trust that He is with you in every moment.
2. Ask for the Miracle: Bring your needs to Him.
3. Hope While You Wait: Continue to align your hearts and lives with Jesus while you wait.

Life is filled with moments when we desperately need a miracle—whether it’s facing a health crisis, navigating a broken relationship, or finding hope in overwhelming circumstances. Faith means praying for God’s intervention while continuing to do the next right thing.

For instance, you might be praying for healing while undergoing treatment or seeking reconciliation while wrestling with forgiveness. These actions reflect a faith that is alive and active.

Faith isn’t passive. It’s not just waiting for God to act—it’s walking in trust, believing that He is working even when you can’t see or understand it.

Sometimes, the biggest barrier to praying for miracles is the fear of being let down. What if God doesn’t answer the way you hoped? What if your faith isn’t strong enough?

These doubts are natural, but they don’t have to hold you back. Faith isn’t about certainty—it’s about trust. You don’t need perfect theology or unshakable confidence to come to God. You just need a willingness to believe that He is present and able to work in your situation.

Here’s the beauty of faith: It invites you to pray for miracles even in the messiest, most uncertain times. You can pray for healing while caring for a sick loved one. You can pray for provision while budgeting carefully. You can pray for strength while facing your fears head-on.

God’s presence and healing don’t demand correct theology. In fact, the Bible is filled with verses where various authors seemed to lean into theologies of predestination (see Romans 8:26-30, Ephesians 1:9-11) and free will (see 2 Peter 3:8-9, Romans 10:9-12, James 4:7-10) at different times.

Though God sees the entire possible picture, there are some things we must let remain a mystery. While theology may try to predict the outcomes of God, the aim of God is to be with us. Faith isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about trusting the One who will never leave or forsake us.

If you need a miracle, don’t be afraid to ask. Gather with others who will pray with you and for you. Faith grows in community, where we can support and encourage one another.

As you pray, remember that faith isn’t just about believing—it’s about moving forward in trust. It’s about asking for miracles while taking practical steps to align your heart and life with God’s.

God doesn’t promise a life free from challenges, but He does promise to walk with us through them. He doesn’t require perfect faith, just a heart willing to trust Him one step at a time.

If you’re waiting for a miracle, know that you’re not alone. God is with you. He sees you. And He invites you to trust Him in the midst of it all.