We can be so pious in our private prayers . We make request for all sorts of thing . From evangelism to the poor, our church , healing , comfort for others . They sound so great leaving our lips and ascending to the throne of grace . After we are done, we feel so justified , knowing we have done well . I have done it and most do it all the time .
For example we pray for souls to be saved but following our passionate plea , fail to find ways to open doors with family and people we know. We pray for God to be with those in pain , but do we reach out in tangible ways.
But the one area that is probably the worst , is when it comes to dealing the poor amongst us within our Church . If someone has no job or lost their job we pray for them , in a way wiping our hands of it with God. God will deal with it.We have have discharged our duty , right? Really !
[15] If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, [16] and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?
(James 2:15-16 ESV)
"In itself the phrase Go in peace, be warmed and filled is a pious wish and prayer for the welfare of the poor, but in reality it is a cop-out, masking a refusal to help the person in need." ESV Study Notes.
To fail to respond if we know a need is present , if one has the means to do so , James states that type of faith is useless. If true faith has taken root in ones heart , compassion , love and charity should flow. To be overwhelmed with the love of Christ should result in a heart prepared for good works.
So the next time you pray , right things down in a journal and pray through them . To visually see them before will hold you accountable concerning what your praying about. Pray with intent towards action. Don't pray for the poor unless you give . Stop praying till you really mean it .
1 comment:
Wow, made me think. Too often, in our western society, there is an assumption that if someone is needy it's there own fault. After all, we live in one of the richest countries in the world. There's no real poverty, is there? After all, if you're poor it's your own fault, right? How easy a cop out is that? Sometimes, crap happens. Don't be thinking it can't happen to you because it can. You can work as hard as you can and still struggle. It can all be gone in an instant. Next time you see someone struggling, just help and show some compassion. Love you, Mrs Reg
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