Hi sonofone,
The way I see it is there are works that Christ does through us, these are the good works of the Spirit. And there are the ritual/works that the churches say is necessary, like baptism, tithes, laying on of hands, keeping the Sabbath/Lord's day and such. This I think is like the burdens the Pharisees layed on men's shoulders.
Mat 23:4 For they bind heavy and hard-to-carry burdens and lay them on men's shoulders. But they will not move them with one of their fingers.
I most certainly believe in prayer and miracles
Here is an email that helps explain this.
http://www.forums.bible-truths.com/index.php/topic,492.0.htmlDear Kevin:
Your struggles is no different from many other saints that have gone before you. Here is the simple truth about whether it is all a done deal in our lives, or whether there is something for us to do as Believers in Christ:
"For by GRACE are ye saved [that's a true statement] through FAITH [that's also a true statement]; and that [that 'faith'] not of yourselves: it is the GIFT [and that too is a true statement--a gift can't be 'earned'] of God. NOT OF WORKS [that certainly is also a true statement] lest any man should boast. For we are HIS workmanship [the Greek is 'His achievement'--and that again is certainly true, we can't make ourselves spirituall converted and mature], created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, Which God has before ordained that we SHOULD WALK IN THEM [now where did that come from? Are we now to assume that that statement is NOT TRUE? That there are NO WORKS involved in our salvation, when God ordained that we MUST WALK IN GOOD WORKS?]" (Eph. 2:8-10).
God gives us FAITH, and God grants us GRACE, and with that He works out His achievement in us by causing us to DO GOOD WORKS, and don't let any two-faced lying hypocritical false prophet ever tell you differently.
Our "good works" will not save us, but God will save no one in whom He does not ORDAIN GOOD WORKS that they must walk in.
Now then, take heart. As you read the Truths of God, OBEY all that God is showing you. God will lead you to true spiritual repentance, as that too is something that only God can grant to you (See Rom. 2:4). When you begin to live a life without all the sins of your past, you will have a clean and clear conscience for the first time in your entire life. With a clean and clear conscience comes PEACE OF MIND. If God is causing you to seek Him, then God will grant you repentance, and sin will no longer have "dominion over you" (Rom. 6:14).
You and your future are in God's hands. If what I teach is from the Scriptures, then believe it and follow it; and if not, then ask God to show you where the Truth is. If you find someone else who teaches the truth contrary to what I teach, please get back with me and let me know where you found it.
God be with you, and we will be praying for you,
Ray