What Precedes Miracles? 7 Biblical Principles
- Eljoh Hartzer, MTh
- Jun 23
- 12 min read
"You have not because you ask not" - James 4:2
This week I've been thinking about the actions that come before miracles - whether it's surrender, asking, prayer, sharing, gratitude... What are the things that a person needs to do to see the breakthrough they so desire? What precedes miracles?
In this article, I'll reflect on Scripture and my own lived experience to offer a contemplative suggestion and some answers. I'll also draw on an article I wrote on this topic for a client & a book I've recently edited for someone else on a similar theme - without further ado, let's get to it!
May you find space here to pause, reflect, and abide.
Find what you're looking for:
7 themes that often precede miracles (with a real-life example given for each one)
Vine Creative Studio holds a collection of what I like to call 'encounter tools', resources connecting hearts with Jesus. You're welcome to try one out with my free Workbook on Living as a Wholehearted Follower - with specific pages guiding you through different spheres of life to surrender to God's leadership...
What is a miracle?
First of all, what do you define as a miracle?
One person might think everything is a miracle that has happened to them, while another might say that no miracles have ever occurred in their lifetime.
There are countless types and sorts of miracles in Scripture. Here are a few:
Nature miracles (Mark 4:39)
Healing miracles (Mark 10:52)
Resurrection miracles (John 11:43-44)
Supply and multiplication miracles (Matthew 14:19-20)
Deliverance miracles (Luke 8:32-33)
Protection miracles (Exodus 14:21-22)
Judgment miracles (Acts 5:4-5)
Transfiguration miracles (Matthew 17:2-3)
Knowledge miracles (John 4:17-18)
Transformation miracles (John 2:9)
G.K. Chesterton - "It is a matter of profound wonder that the sun rises every morning."
Let's say a miracle is something that happens that cannot be explained any other way but by the hand of God - it makes no sense!
I just finished editing a book for a client who wrote on this topic. Her book is about how God lives in miracles - it IS possible to see Him move powerfully in your life today. As I worked through the manuscript, a few thoughts came to me that I want to share here.
Can God still do miracles today?
Let's approach this from two perspectives:
According to Scripture - yes! The Bible is filled with miracles, healings, and multiplication and it never states that God stopped doing these. Jesus promised that believers would do even greater things than He did (John 14:12). Some of those things include miracles, signs, and wonders.
According to my lived experience - yes, definitely! Jesus is risen - He did not stay dead. God is on the move every second of every day, building His Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven. God can still do powerful miracles today, and this post will include testimonies of that from my own life.
God did not stop writing His big story on the last page of the Bible. He is still performing His Missio Dei (the Mission of God) - to build His Kingdom on Earth as it is in Heaven, to come in fullness, to permeate every inch of Creation, to be known, and to be glorified.
James 2:18 "Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds."
James, the brother of Jesus, understood that faith becomes practical / expressed by certain actions. Another example of this is found when Paul writes to the church in Corinth and proves himself to be a true apostle exactly by the signs, wonders, and miracles performed among them (2 Corinthians 12:12).
Based on both Scripture and my own experience, I believe God still does miracles today.
What do I need to do to see God move in my life? What precedes miracles?
People often long to see a move of God in their life. We need Him to do the impossible, to come through for us, to change our story. Desperate for miracles, we wonder where God is and why He isn't stepping in...
If the answer to the question above is "Yes, God still does miracles" - another question follows: "If God still does miracles, why am I not seeing any in my life?"
My field of study is Practical Theology - so I'm trained to ask: "What does this look like practically? What does it mean for us today? How do we live this out?" The task of every disciple and Christian (follower of Jesus) is to become like Him.
I don't believe the desire to see miracles or the question of why you're not seeing God is wrong. Your heart just needs to be in the right place when you're asking it.
Do you want to see God move more? Well, that's great. God also desires to be known by you (the feeling's mutual!).
Seven examples will be given below of some of the elements that are often present before the miraculous is witnessed - this is not a checklist to manipulate God's will, but a pathway to walk by faith in the dark. These examples are based in Scripture as God's Word is that guiding light (Psalm 119:105).
Seven themes that often precede miracles
Salvation
Spirit
Faith
Taking what you have
Gratitude
Creativity
Generosity
The first three are spiritual realities & the last four are more practical actions that one can take.
1: S A L V A T I O N
Jesus describes in John 15 that He is like a Vine and we are like branches - then He said something powerful: "No branch can bear fruit by itself. It must remain in the Vine."
In other words, you cannot do any of this in your own strength. It happens when you live close to Jesus, abide in Him, dwell with Him, stay near Him.
Many Christians wonder whether God still does miracles today.
The miracles are not the point - the point is staying near Jesus.
No twisted agenda will fool God, yet...
From His presence, and His Spirit, the miraculous flows. Miracles are from Him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 — "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
God is not a vending machine or a genie. Faith is not transactional. It begins with salvation, not with miracles. If you are unsure where to begin, read the Bible book of John and visit. a local church this Sunday.
Further Study:
Israel rescued from Egypt through the Red Sea (Exodus 14:13–31)
Paul’s conversion on the road to Damascus (Acts 9:1–19)
Practical Testimony / Example from my own life:
Salvation is always a miracle. God called my name when I was in the pits of depression and considering suicide. He offered me a lifeline, saved my life, and called me to something greater. He completely rewrote my story. The greatest miracle of all is and will continue to be God's great mercy in saving us and restoring us in relationship to Him.
2: S P I R I T
When a person experiences true conversion it leads to transformation - the desire to become more like Jesus, to be cleansed from sin, and to walk in holiness and purity before Him.
Psalm 24:3-4 — "Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart."
Earlier, I quoted the Scripture where Jesus said His followers would do greater things... They would do this, empowered by the Helper, the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). The Spirit does so with the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) and the Gifts of the Spirit (Romans 12:6-8 & 1 Corinthians 12:4-11).
Jesus also said: "You will know them by their fruit" (Matthew 7:16), meaning you can discern if God is alive in someone's life by their character and what happens in and around them. The Spirit works in your life and brings about glimpses of the Kingdom of Heaven here.
Therefore, the foundation of a relationship with God and abiding in Him is:
SALVATION
to be SPIRIT-FILLED
You can pray to be filled by the Holy Spirit by simply saying: 'Holy Spirit, You are welcome here'
Further Study:
Samson empowered by the Spirit with supernatural strength (Judges 14:5–6)
Disciples filled with the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, signs and boldness follow (Acts 2:1–4; Acts 5:12)
Practical Testimony / Example from my own life:
Once, we prayed in the Spirit and in the name of Jesus for a young girl who had trouble walking. I felt the bones in her knees crack under my hands and she was completely healed right before our eyes. I've encountered the Holy Spirit as a wind, a warm glow, and a clear voice giving encouraging words to strangers that ended up being exactly what they needed.
3: F A I T H
You also need to have FAITH. What Does the Bible Say About Faith and Miracles?
John 11:40 — "Did I not tell you that if you believe, you will see the glory of God?"
The Gospel of Matthew, especially, holds many examples where Jesus made it clear that faith plays a crucial role in the presence or absence of miracles.
Matthew 8:13 - "Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would."
Matthew 9:22 - "Take heart, daughter, your faith has healed you."
Matthew 9:29 - "According to your faith let it be done to you."
Matthew 15:28 - "Woman, you have great faith! Your request is granted."
Oftentimes, you need to ASK God to do the impossible. Take that step in faith that He will move. Look out for His action, before it comes.
Further Study:
Practical Testimony / Example from my own life:
Other times, miracles just looked like walking by faith. As a freelancer, I pray with faith that God will connect me with the right clients every month. He's never let me down. Even as I'm writing this, my husband and I are waiting to be matched with a baby boy we're adopting. What else can we do but wait with faith-filled hearts?
Moving on to the 4 practical responses: What can you actually DO?
The last four of our seven themes are practical responses. When the foundation is there, this is how we build. And who better to model our actions after than Jesus Christ Himself?
I recently wrote an article for The Collector about the 4 actions Jesus took before feeding the multitude, which is probably where this idea started.
"Before the miracle of multiplying two small fish and five loaves, Jesus did four specific things: taking, blessing, breaking, and giving."
What actions did Jesus take before the miracle happened? What might that look like in my own life?
This same pattern might be applied to your own life if you are in search of the miraculous:
4: S T E W A R D S H I P
The question is not only whether God still does miracles today, but how we position ourselves to recognize His activity. How can we take what we already have and offer it to Him? God is interested in moving powerfully - not someplace else, but IN your life. Therefore, a great place to start is to look at what's already there? That's the clay He'll form into something beautiful.
Jesus took a boy's simple lunch. It was not enough to do the miracle with, but it was a beginning. START WITH WHAT'S PRESENT
What insignificant thing can you pick up in faith?
The action is to look around at what you already have in your hands.
Further Study:
Moses’ staff used for miracles (Exodus 4:2)
Boy’s lunch multiplied to feed thousands (John 6:9–13)
Practical Testimony / Example from my own life:
Sometimes what we pray for is right before our eyes. When doing programs with kids in the township, we didn't have lots of supplies - but when we took what we had - sand, sticks, leaves - God used those things as great ministry tools. Another example is when I started planting my garden with a single plant, not knowing where the rest would come from. It often takes that first step of faith.
5: G R A T I T U D E
He blessed the food.
BEING THANKFUL FOR IT
Can you practice gratitude for what you do have?
A book that has had a tremendous impact on my life is One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. She describes how every single thing in each second is a gift from above. While you do not have the thing you're desiring yet, the question is: What do you have? How can you thank God for it?
“Eucharisteo—thanksgiving—always precedes the miracle.” ― Ann Voskamp
Simply thank God for what He's already given you. Focus more on thankfulness than on requests.
Further Study:
Worship leading before battle victory (2 Chronicles 20:21–22)
Jesus giving thanks before feeding the five thousand (John 6:11)
Practical Testimony / Example from my own life:
I've seen countless times how gratitude precedes miracles. Instead of focusing on what's lacking, I praise God for what I do have, filled with thankfulness and a heart posture of surrender. When I write down the little ways that I can say 'thank You God', my perspective changes and I see more of it.
6: C R E A T I V I T Y
Often, God's perspective is not the same as our own. Most of the time it isn't! His ways are not our ways (Isaiah 55:8-9). He often sees armies when we see dry bones (Ezekiel 37) and potential where we see nothing.
Creativity sounds vague, but I mean we need to take a different perspective. Creativity is Spirit-inspired perception that helps you respond differently to what God is doing.
Jesus broke the bread.
THINKING CREATIVELY ABOUT IT
What might it look like to 'break it open' in an act of faith?
Pray and ask God to transform the thing in your hands into something that glorifies Him.
Further Study:
Jesus applying mud to the blind man’s eyes before healing follows (John 9:6–7)
Naaman washing seven times in the Jordan River (2 Kings 5:10–14)
Practical Testimony / Example from my own life:
When struggling to calm the chaos with a group of kids I'm working with, I'll often pray for creative ideas to get their attention. Or, if we don't have lots of ingredients in the kitchen, I'll trust God for inspiration of a meal I can make with what we do have. One time, I saw God multiply food as I was dishing from a single (seemingly empty) pot and it fed a whole school of kids in Lesotho.
7: G E N E R O S I T Y
The Bible is full of examples of people who were generous and who received a blessing in return. While the Kingdom of God is not "Do X, Get Y" - there are definite promises that we can hold onto.
Luke 6:38 - "Give, and it will be given to you."
After breaking the bread, Jesus handed it out.
BEING GENEROUS WITH IT
Who can you share it with and bless?
Instead of only thinking of how you can benefit, actively think about who you can bless.
Further Study:
Widow of Zarephath sharing her last meal (1 Kings 17:8–16)
Boy offering his lunch before multiplication (John 6:9–13)
Practical Testimony / Example from my own life:
Even when we don't have a lot of finances, if we practice being generous - invite someone over for a meal, give a gift, support a missionary - God often uses those moments to bless us in unexpected ways. Now, whenever we need money, the first question is: Have we tithed? I also make a point of asking God to give me ideas of how I can bless others with the little that we have. Not because I want the gift, but because I've learned to see it His way. The Kingdom way is upside down - the more you give, the more you'll have.
In summary, this post offered seven pathways to seeing God move in your own life -
Salvation → foundation
Spirit → empowerment
Faith → response
Stewardship → awareness
Gratitude → posture
Creativity → perception
Generosity → overflow
Remember, the miracle isn't the point. Staying close to Jesus is. Miracles flow from relationship with Jesus, not spiritual techniques.
If you're unsure about how to stay close to Jesus, consider the following resource:
What If God Doesn't Answer My Prayer? What about when God doesn't do the miracle?
Of course, it is a reality that God does not always grant us the miracles we ask for. I've experienced that many times as well.
Sometimes we pray for healing and nothing happens.
Sometimes we desperately need provision and nothing happens.
Sometimes we have faith, trust, and hope - but we do not get the breakthrough.
Maybe I'll write about that another time - let me know in the comments if that's something you'd want to discover with me or if there are any other related themes you'd like me to write about. For now, I'll leave you with the words of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who said:
"In ordinary life, we hardly realize that we receive a great deal more than we give, and that it is only with gratitude that life becomes rich."
P.S. If you enjoyed this article and would like to stay in touch, I want to invite you to join my newsletter by leaving your email below. If you're learning to recognize God's activity in everyday life and want practical reflections like this delivered straight to your inbox, I'd love to stay connected.
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