Do you ever read stories in the Bible and think “oh man, God really came through, what an amazing miracle,” and then immediately after think “why don’t these miracles happen to me?” I think sometimes the Lord is asking us to pick up some stones, lay some hands, or take a step out onto some water.

What if God doesn’t only want us to PRAY for a miracle, but also to STEP into the miracles themselves? What if God wants us to pray AND act? God calls us to pray and expect miracles, yes, but sometimes he also calls us to be a part of the answer.

I see this most clearly in Samuel 17; we see the Israelites waiting in the shadow of the mighty Goliath, most likely praying for a miracle. Probably they prayed that a mighty warrior would rise up to defeat him, that the Lord himself would strike him down in some miraculous way. But what they didn’t do was step up and attempt anything in His name.

Then David enters the scene: someone nobody thought could do a single thing. He was a shepherd, not a warrior—just bringing food to his brothers—but David believed God could do it. He also believed God was calling him to step into the miracle himself. Instead of sitting and praying for someone to show up, David decided to go pick up some stones.

He picked up those stones, put them in his sling, and flung them at the giant. The miracle wasn’t simply the death of the giant, it was the miracle of David’s stone striking Goliath in such a way that he died. But without David’s stone, there is no death of Goliath. Without David taking his sling that he’d carried all his life, picking up stones, and using the skills he had from guarding sheep, there is no miracle.

I want to be more like David. I don’t want to only pray and then sit back and watch God do his thing. I want to see miracles, and ALSO be a part of them. I want to grab what stones I can find, and use my sling and my skills to defeat giants for people, and for myself. I don’t want to see a miracle, I want to be part of one and give all the glory to God for using little old me.

In David’s case, he uses a sling and stones to defeat Goliath. These are tools he had been using all his life; in this way, he was always equipped to defeat Goliath, just not in the way everyone thought. In verses 38-40, we see Saul’s attempt to outfit David in a warrior outfit:

“Then Saul dressed David in his own tunic. He put a coat of armor on him and a bronze helmet on his head. David fastened on his sword over the tunic and tried walking around, because he was not used to them.” (1 Samuel 17-38-39)

Saul thought David would need what most warriors needed: armor, and a sword. David, however, knew that he needed to use what God had already given him:

David already had everything he needed to step into God’s plan and he was confident in his skills. Are we confident enough in the ways God has equipped us to enter into miracles with our own gifts? I don’t need to enter into a situation with my pastor’s skills, my husband’s skills, or that lady on Instagram’s skills; I need to use the gifts and talents God has already given me to accomplish the miracle he has already planned for me. I don’t need someone else’s armor; God has given me my own. 

Not only was David confident in his own skills, but he was confident in the power that God would supply in the moment that he needed it. Goliath came with all the armor, all the height advantage, and all the strength, and David came with the power of God:

We need to have the confidence that God will use what we have to enact his miracles. We can also be confident that in God’s power we can do the very thing we have been praying for. Some times in our lives we pray, but other times he also calls us to act.

Where in your life are you praying for something, and not picking up stones? Where in your life do you have the skills to step into someone’s miracle and you’re just standing there? Where in your life do you need the confidence that the power of God is in you, waiting for you to act?

-If you’re praying for healing in a relationship, have you made a phone call? Have you forgiven? Have you sought therapy, or help?

-If you’re praying for someone to come to Christ, are you in relationship with them? Are you intentional with your conversations? Are you offering to pray for them and showing them the love and power of Christ?

-If you’re praying for healing in your own physical/mental/emotional life, are you also taking walks, eating healthy, seeing a doctor, seeking therapy? Are you seeking this healing WHILE you pray?

-If you’re praying for God to show you your unique calling, are you serving somewhere? Are you loving people as you wait for an answer? Are you stepping into where you are as you wait?

-If you’re praying for revival for your church, your city, your town, are you pressing into the places where revival can happen? Are you supporting ministries, entering into services, and simply being present where God is at work?

-If you’re praying for God to be more present in your life, are you also carving out time and using it intentionally to be in His presence? Are you reading His word, seeking His presence, hanging in community with other believers, and asking for accountability about these things?

This may sound overwhelming, challenging, impossible, but remember, David picked up stones, not boulders. Pick up one stone. One small idea, task, or habit over a long period of time can lead to big changes in our lives and hearts. So take one step, pick up one stone, and watch the miracles of God unfold before you.