Praying for a Sign? Don’t.

We don’t need to be looking for signs from the sky to know that God loves and cares for us. Peace, original oil painting by Steve Henderson of Steve Henderson Fine Art.

Signs and wonders: they fascinate us. We marvel at the crossing of the Red Sea, Jesus’ feeding of 5,000 and 4,000, even Gideon with his soggy sheep fleece.

One part of us asks, “Is this really true?” while another part says, “Do this for me, God! Do this for me!”

And within contemporary Christian culture, we are often encouraged to “ask for a sign,” because, we are assured, Gideon did this (multiple times), and God honored his request. He can do no less for us, we’re told, and indeed, if we have enough faith, we force His hand.

But we’re not Gideon, my friends, (Judges 6-8) and God isn’t asking us to wipe out an overwhelming Midianite enemy by shouting, blowing on trumpets, and breaking jars. If the story of Gideon tells us anything, it’s that God gets the credit for winning our battles. Gideon’s story isn’t one extolling a man’s faith, but rather his reluctance, and God’s gracious understanding of that fear.

Please read the rest of the article at Why You (Probably) Shouldn’t Pray for a Sign at my column, Commonsense Christianity at BeliefNet. I know it’s a hassle following a link, and I’d print the whole story here if I could, but I can’t. I appreciate your patience and understanding.

You might also enjoy this special feature, Four Lies Creeping into Today’s Christian Church.

Steve Henderson’s inspiring and beautiful artworks are available as original paintings as well as licensed, open edition prints through retailers such as Great Big Canvas, iCanvasART, Amazon.com, Light in the Box, and Framed Canvas Art.

This article is linked to Raising Homemakers, Wholehearted Home, My Daily Walk in His Grace, A Wise Woman, A Little R and R, We Are That Family, Ducks in a Row, The Life of Jennifer Dawn, My Disorganized Life, Cherished Bliss, Wow Me Wednesday, Lovely Ladies Linkup, the Joy Dare Project, Time Warp Wife, Table for Seven, Titus 2 Tuesday, Joyful Mothering, City Farmhouse, Kathe with an E, The Shady Porch, Turn it up Tuesday, Graced Simplicity, Thriving Thursday, Hearts for Home, Hope in Every Season, I Choose Joy, Jenni Mullinix, Growing in Grace, Katherine’s Corner, All Things with a Purpose, Missional Woman, Womanhood with a Purpose, Essential Things, God’s Girl, Christian Mom Blogger, Happy and Blessed Home, Anything Goes, Love Bakes Good Cakes, The Jenny Evolution, A look at the Book, Counting my Blessings

About This Woman Writes

Carolyn Henderson is the marketing manager of Steve Henderson Fine Art. She writes about life, art, and the art of life.

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2 Responses to Praying for a Sign? Don’t.

Tshanina says:

June 6, 2014 at 10:27 pm

I think you hit the nail on the head when you said “signs are never enough.” More than likely we wouldn’t believe it was a sign if it was revealed to us.

- This Woman Writes says:
  
  June 7, 2014 at 1:29 am
  
  Very true, Tshanina — signs “wear out” after their initial novelty and awe value, and given time, we think less of them than when they first happened. So we need another one.