Praying Is Doing Something
It may just be the most important thing we do
If there is anything I can do to help, please just ask.
We’ve heard this many times. We’ve likely said this many times. And we do want to do something for others when there is a need. It’s comforting, polite, and perhaps on occasion, actually helpful.
But what if there was something we could do that would be most helpful on every occasion? Something that we could ask be done, or offer to do, and is really useful, more helpful, and has the highest outcomes in mind?
We can pray. Many of us will have offered to pray or have asked for prayer, but often there is a twinge of guilt because we think there should be more we should do for someone that just pray. Something practical or tangible or material.
And there is nothing wrong with that, except we will often do that while neglecting to pray for them. Our culture prizes doing and accomplishing things, and prayer time is rarely one of those things which is prized. Which is pride.
The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Ps 10:4
But to the followers of Christ, prayer is doing something. And prayer is something that ought to be done. Because prayer involves God, and this gets Him involved in the situation.
Seek the Lord and his strength, seek his face continually. 1 Ch 16:11
Seek the Lord, and his strength: seek his face evermore. Ps 105:4
Seek the Lord while he may be found, call upon him while he is near: Isa 55:6
Take heed, watch and pray: for you know not when the time is. Mk 13:33
Pray without ceasing. 1 Th 5:17
This is the duty of prayer: to pray, which is doing something practical — even more than that, humbly praying for others is the highest activity we can undertake. Because there is a need and we need God’s help with that. We get His help by our asking for it.
I have prayed for you said Jesus to Peter. In other words, He asked the Father that the faith of His disciple not fail. Nothing more needed done.
What can we do for the Christians in Ukraine and Ethiopia? Pray!
What can we do for the person who lost a job, is ill, or has fallen from faith? Yes, pray!
What can we do for the people of God? Of course, pray!
When next you are asked to do something for another, make praying for them a priority
This does not mean we only pray. There is plenty we can do. We can take action, but not until—and only after, we’ve asked the Lord about it. Then He goes to work in us, for us, and through us to bring the answer.
We like to say start on your knees then roll up your sleeves.
Pray For The People Of God From The Word Of God
Here are four passages we are praying from this week (one passage per day):
Thursday - John 8:31-32
Friday - Romans 12:2
Saturday - Proverbs 3:5-6
Sunday - Philippians 4:4
Will you join me in praying these verses, and ask one person to join you?
Until Monday, grace and peace
Photo by Harli Marten on Unsplash