Questions about praying for miracles from saints

[Andreas Moran]

Dear All,

For quite some time, I have pondered on what to me is a problem, and I wonder if others have a take on it.

It's about reports of the miracles of saints. Now, I know miracles happen - no doubt of it, I have experienced them. The point is this. In the Orthodox world, particularly in Greece, it is common for accounts to be circulated of the miracles of saints. Sometimes there are books with collected accounts of the miracles of certain saints. But the way these accounts are given troubles me. The usual account runs something like this: person falls ill; doctors hold no hope (sometimes); person puts icon of St X under pillow; St X appears in the night; next day doctors examine person - nothing wrong; person cured.

The reason this troubles me is that for every miracle that really happens, there must be many cases where, despite fervent prayer, litres of holy oils, and a gallery of icons, nothing happens (no miracle of healing, I mean). What are the people in these circumstances to think? Was their prayer defective in some way? Is their faith less than that of those who have their prayers answered? A spiritual guide may give reasons but the nagging doubt remains: 'so what did I do wrong?' It seems to me that these books make it seem too simplistic, and there should be a 'health warning' with them to the effect that such miracles are the exception to the rule, with some comfort and explanation as to why most people do not experience the prayed- and hoped-for miracle of healing.

In Christ,

Andreas.

[Tanya Hoadley]

Dear Andreas,

I can only speak from my own experience but perhaps this may be helpful.

I have endured great physical and emotional pain in my life. I prayed fervently but I wasn't instantly cured and I truly suffered.
But I thank God that he allowed this for many reasons. Perhaps the easiest of these reasons to understand is that I am a nurse. I believe that God allowed these sufferings to soften my heart so that I may have greater compassion for my patients and care for them in a manner more pleasing to God.

Is not gold purified in the fire?

I thank God for my current good health. I also try to remember when I am sick or in pain that God has not abandoned me, but in His infinite love and mercy He is bringing me closer to Him.

Speaking of miracles, there have been many in my family, especially with my children. It is a common belief in my family that my dear departed mother prays (a lot!) and that thru her prayers God has shown mercy on us.

I believe that God created each of us as unique. I also believe that He ministers to each of us in a way that is special for each one of us.
Why one person may receive a miraculous intervention by God and another doesn't I think is like comparing apples and oranges. They are both fruit, but different types.

In Christ,
Tanya

[Tanya Hoadley]

One more thought,

I think (I always get nervous when I begin a sentence with 'I think') that there is a sort of invasive ideology that is creeping and lurking about. It is the concept that there is a 'special formula' of obtaining our desired answer to prayer. I have seen it taught by TV evangelists here in the US. I wonder if it has crept into the minds of some of the Faithful.

Here in the US, when disaster strikes, the common cry is "Why me?"
(as if there is someone else much more deserving of misfortune) Well to remedy the situation, there are those that teach do A. B. C. D. then send lots of money and if you have enough faith, then your prayer will be answered!

In Orthodoxy, I think the response is more "Why not me?" (as I am chief among sinners) Prayer, fasting, giving alms and surrendering to the will of God and trusting in His mercy is our way.

(maybe that was more than one thought)

In Christ,
Tanya

[John Charmley]

Dear Andreas,

I know what you mean, and it would be interesting if one of our priests was able to address this one.

For me, it depends on what one thinks a miracle is. I wonder, sometimes, whether we don't operate with a rather narrow view? There are moments when I feel that it amounts to a miracle that with all the things I have done wrong in my life that I have the love and the forgiveness of the Risen Lord just because I do very sincerely repent of my sins. And how is it that He should lead me to the riches of Orthodoxy? These things are beyond anything I deserve - I know what I deserve in earthly terms, and am humbled by the miracle that my Lord died for one such as me.

And what then when my prayers are not answered? Well how can I know they haven't been - just because I did not get what I wanted - maybe I got what was needed and just need the humility to learn the lesson being taught. How can I question my Lord? I must trust Him, and what happens, however bad, cannot be what my sins deserve. I have to trust that my prayers are answered - as He wishes.

The real miracles are the Incarnation and the Resurrection; and when I feel hard done by I remember that He who was without sin suffered and died upon the Cross - for me, and for many for the forgiveness of our sins. I have always been moved to tears by the words of the old English hymn:

When I survey the wondrous cross
On which the Prince of glory died,
My richest gain I count but loss,
And pour contempt on all my pride.

Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the death of Christ my God!
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.



In Christ,

John

[Andreas Moran]

Dear John,

Beautiful words, indeed. Not having been anything before I became Orthodox, I don't know about English hymns, but my Anglican priest friend (who is very close to Orthodoxy) tells me the words of some English hymns are full of orthodox theology.

When my first wife was dying, I asked a very dear friend, Father Philotheos, who is a hieromonk at Grigoriou monastery on Mt Athos, whether I could pray for a miracle of healing. I always remember his reply: 'the greatest miracle is our salvation. Pray for that.' Shortly before her repose, she attended a service at the monastery for the last time. At one point, there was a muted but discernable excitement among the congregation. All eyes were on my wife, sat at the front: in the dimness, her face was shining brightly with light. 'Did you see her? Did you see her?', people asked me afterwards. Father Zacharias visited her in the cancer hospital in Sheffield immediately before she died. He gave her absolution and Holy Communion. When she so very gently gave up her soul to God, Father Zacharias said, 'her soul has gone straight up. She has a rich entrance into the kingdom of heaven. I pray that I might have such a death.' Father Philotheos had been right. Thanks be to God.

In Christ,

Andreas.

[John Charmley]

When my first wife was dying, I asked a very dear friend, Father Philotheos, who is a hieromonk at Grigoriou monastery on Mt Athos, whether I could pray for a miracle of healing. I always remember his reply: 'the greatest miracle is our salvation. Pray for that.' Shortly before her repose, she attended a service at the monastery for the last time. At one point, there was a muted but discernable excitement among the congregation. All eyes were on my wife, sat at the front: in the dimness, her face was shining brightly with light. 'Did you see her? Did you see her?', people asked me afterwards. Father Zacharias visited her in the cancer hospital in Sheffield immediately before she died. He gave her absolution and Holy Communion. When she so very gently gave up her soul to God, Father Zacharias said, 'her soul has gone straight up. She has a rich entrance into the kingdom of heaven. I pray that I might have such a death.' Father Philotheos had been right. Thanks be to God.

In Christ,

Andreas.

Dear Andreas,

Thank you for sharing this with us - I must confess to tears on reading it - and how much it points up the moral that it is His will that is done. How much that enriches all of us - and we are not just people of this world, as we know.

But it must have been heartbreaking; it is so good to know that you have come through and have found a loving wife. God bless you, my friend.


In Christ,

John

[Andreas Moran]

Dear John,

Heartbreaking, yes. Hopebreaking, no.

In Christ,

Andreas.

[John Charmley]

Dear John,

Heartbreaking, yes. Hopebreaking, no.

In Christ,

Andreas.


Dear Andreas,

And in that we see the wonder of Our Lord and the way that, even in deepest sorrow, he provides for us. Even when we are at our most ungrateful, His mercy does not fail us.

As the Incarnate Lord Himself told us:

John 16:20-22
20 Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy. 21 A woman, when she is in labor, has sorrow because her hour has come; but as soon as she has given birth to the child, she no longer remembers the anguish, for joy that a human being has been born into the world. 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you.


And so it will be, we have His assurance.

In Christ,

John

[Andreas Moran]

Dear John,

Even in the dark there is light. Forgive me if I repeat myself - I don't know if I posted this before. Kathryn loved Father Sophrony, though she never met him or read his books. From diagnosis to death was precisely nine months
(5 April 2000 to 4 January 2001) - the 'gestation period' before her birth into the true life. Father Zacharias thought she would die on the Eve of Theophany (5 January) 'when everything is blessed' as he put it. But that would have gone a day over her 'gestation period'. Yet furthermore, bearing in mind her love of Father Sophrony, the fortieth day after her death, when, according to Orthodox Tradition, the soul goes to its assigned place until the Last Judgment, was the day of the Epistle Reading from 1 John 3:2 - 'we shall see Him as He is.' The title of his spiritual testament. What further assurance did I need?

In Christ,

Andreas.