I consider this a fascinating thought from the Word of God:
“And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.” — Acts 3:5–7 KJV
So as you read this scripture, consider doing this:
- Expect a miracle
On the “main street” of the Bible, miracles were always happening because people were expecting them to happen. They expected God to take a hand in their lives, to make things happen, to perform miracles any time, anywhere. They opened their minds to God’s miracle-working power, and miracles were constantly happening. It was a fascinating time to be alive.
I have good news—I believe we still can live on the main street of the Bible with expectancy in the air. If people are looking for something to happen and expecting God to move, I believe He can come into their lives in miraculous ways.
Big Faith…and New Shoes
One night in the prayer line at a tent meeting in Phoenix, Arizona, a woman brought her little boy who had a drawn-up heel cord (Achilles tendon), which caused his right leg to be shorter than the left. He had been wearing specially constructed shoes for a long time. When they came up for prayer, I noticed that the boy’s mother was carrying a pair of brand new shoes.
I said to her, “Sister, what are you going to do with the new shoes?”
She said, “Brother Roberts, I am expecting God to heal my child. My son is going to pull off those old shoes and put on this brand new pair before we leave this big tent.”
Seeing her faith and expectation was a tremendous thrill. I called it to the attention of the audience, and they helped me pray. God healed that child, and before all those thousands of people, the little boy pulled off his specially constructed shoes, put on the brand new pair, and went walking off, made every whit whole.
Do you know why I believe he received his healing? Because this mother and son were expecting something to happen. As I read the Bible, you must expect a miracle if you want it to take place.
2. Look to God to Meet Your Need
In Acts 3:1–11, the lame man at the Beautiful Gate was expecting something. He was, at first, expecting a handout from Peter and John, but when he saw these men had something different than money, he began to expect healing, to expect the power of God. Then Peter took him by the hand and lifted him up. Immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength, for Peter said, In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk (v. 6).
Friends, I believe if you want to rise up, you can look to God to meet your need and begin expecting to be healed. If you are sick in your body, why not expect God to perform a miracle? If you are unsaved, why not believe God to save you? I believe He will do it. If you need help financially, if you need material things for your personal life, I believe we can expect God to perform a miracle.
Are You in Expectation?
What is expectancy? To me, when you are expecting, you are looking for something. You are intensely desiring, longing, and reaching out to take hold of what you desire. Unless you have this expectancy, the miracle may present itself and could pass you by, because you weren’t watching out to take hold of it.
I believe when you are expecting something to happen, first, you recognize it; second, you reach for it; third, you take it. That’s how you can receive what God has for you.
3. Look for God to set you free
I believe He can reach into your life right now and heal you. I believe He can answer your prayers, change your circumstances, and supply your needs. And these three things can help you work to activate it―recognize it, reach for it, and receive it.
Now, I urge you to pray this prayer for your soul and body and for your circumstances:
O Lord God, I’m expecting a miracle. I’m looking for You to perform a mighty miracle of deliverance for me right now. O Living God, by the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, hear my prayer and enable me to pray the prayer of faith.
O God, in the name of the Holy Child Jesus, put Your hands on me, and heal me from sickness. Heal my afflictions and make me whole right now by Your power. I am expecting a miracle and I believe it will happen. Amen.
Oral Roberts
Author
Oral Roberts was one of the most famous and influential Christian leaders of the twentieth century. Oral Roberts grew up to become world renowned as a healing evangelist, author, educator, and television personality. His ministry began with his own miracle healing of tuberculosis at the age of 17.
In 1947 Roberts established the Oral Roberts Evangelistic Association in Tulsa, Oklahoma. In obedience to God’s call on his life, he conducted miracle healing crusades across America and around the world in a great “tent cathedral.” Each night, thousands who were sick and dying came for healing prayer and to hear his dynamic message that God is a good God.
Through the years, he conducted more than 300 healing crusades in more than 35 countries on six continents. In 1963 Roberts founded Oral Roberts University. In 1981, Roberts took a bold step of faith in building the City of Faith Medical and Research Center to merge the healing streams of medicine and prayer as God had revealed it to him.
Roberts wrote more than 130 books, several personal commentaries on the Bible, and other inspirational material. Roberts often said he could never have done all that he did without having his darling wife Evelyn by his side. For more than 66 years, they were a partnership for the Lord in taking the message of God’s saving, healing, delivering power to the world for more than six decades.
