new signs and wonders
"Give new signs and work new wonders; show forth the splendor of Your right hand and arm." —Sirach 36:5
The writer of Sirach prayed for God to give new signs and new wonders. Micah prayed: "As in the days when You came from the land of Egypt, show us wonderful signs" (Mi 7:15). The early Church prayed: Lord, "grant to Your servants, even as they speak Your words, complete assurance by stretching forth Your hand in cures and signs and wonders to be worked in the name of Jesus, Your holy Servant" (Acts 4:29-30).
Jesus promised that signs and wonders would accompany those who profess their faith (Mk 16:17). He also promised that we would do works greater by far than even His glorious works (Jn 14:12). Why? It's because whatever we ask for in His name He will do (Jn 14:12-14).
Therefore, we should ask the Lord to do signs and wonders in our lives and through us in the lives of others. "Ask for a sign from the Lord, your God; let it be deep as the nether world, or high as the sky!" (Is 7:11) May the Lord "enlighten your innermost vision that you may know...the immeasurable scope of His power in us who believe" (Eph 1:18-19). His "power now at work in us can do immeasurably more than we ask or imagine — to Him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus through all generations, world without end. Amen" (Eph 3:20-21).
Prayer: Father, may the Acts of the Apostles be the acts of my life.
Promise: "The Son of Man has not come to be served but to serve — to give His life in ransom for the many." —Mk 10:45
Praise: The Lord works wonders in Dorothy's life, from opening parking spaces to matching her children with godly spouses.
Reference: (For a related teaching, order our leaflet on Praying for a New Pentecost on our audio tapes AV 92A-1, AV 92A-3, AV 92B-1 or video V-92A, V-92B.)
Rescript: †Reverend Joseph R. Binzer, Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, July27, 2010
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