Easy Prayer

07/22/2005

"It is much easier to pray for a man than to go visit him."

This is a quote one of my former Pastors used to say ALOT that has haunted me for a long time. It has also moved me to action on a number of occasions.

Why do I being this up? Because it’s become so real in my life – but now I’m on the other side of the prayer.

It’s no secret that I’m going through one of the hardest times of my life right now. Maybe that’s why I’m feeling it so much now.

I love prayer. Even believe in it. But…sometimes I feel it’s used by Christians as a way out…a way out of action.

I know nobody owes me anything – goodness I know this! But if I hear one more person come to me, lay a gentle hand upon my trembling shoulders and say "sister, I’m praying for you…" or "how can I pray for you…" I just may scream!!!! What I’m hearing in my current life experience is, "I’m praying that someone else steps up to help you." Or, "I’m praying because I don’t want to get to close to you because I’m scared that your bad fortune will jump off on me." And, "I’m praying to thank God that I’m not you."

Again, I really do believe in the power of prayer but sometimes there is supposed to be action taken by God’s people. It’s so easy to say, "I’ll pray for you" at least the sayer can go home feeling like he did something. Something -- even though most times people forget the situation they promised to pray about.

I sit here in the full moon night wondering what would have happened if Jesus looked out upon the earth and said, "I’ll pray for them" then took no action to accompany His words.

Praying is easy. What comes after is the hard part.

zss

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