Hey Singles,
Over the years, like anyone else, I've been to the doctor for a whole host of generic symptoms--can't sleep, headaches, nausea, fatigue... and like all of you, the doctors will then test me for a whole host of things that they guess it could possibly be.
While I feel very blessed to not have so many things they've tested me for, my heart always goes out to the people who DO suffer with these afflictions.
One of the charities I support is Diabetes Research, and in the latest newsletter I received today, there was a quote from a a Mom whose 3-year-old daughter suffers from type 1 diabetes. This woman made an incredibly poignant statement: "I always hear people say 'I pray for a cure.' I understand. I pray, too. But the bottom line is, money is what's going to cure diabetes. Not praying."
That statement has stayed with me all day. OF COURSE our trust is not in money, and we serve God above all else, NOT money. But the Bible also tells us... if someone is standing before us and is hungry, thirsty, in need, and we just say, "God bless you," or "I'll pray for you", what practical help are we really giving them?
And yet, we can't help everyone. Here are some other examples I've thought of today.
1. "I'll pray for the homeless." But how are we going to give the means to support themselves?
2. "I'll pray for a cure for cancer." But what do we pray? Do we pray for some brilliant scientist comes along and discovers a cure... all for free? At the very least, that scientist is going to need money to go to school.
3. "I'll pray for the church." Prayer is always helpful, but doesn't the church really need things like volunteers and funds to pay their bills?
4. I know there are a million examples but here's another one that's close to home: "I'll pray for CC." But will prayers alone, without donations, keep Christian Chat going?
"The bottom line is, prayer isn't going to cure or keep (insert your most passionate cause here) going. Money is."
I found this statement to be heartbreaking, raw, and very honest.
We will NEVER give up praying, of course. But at some point, God also calls us to roll up our sleeves and "Git R Done," too. After all, Jesus didn't save the world through His prayers alone.
What are your thoughts on the balance between prayer and actions when it comes to tackling the problems/diseases/pains of this world?
Over the years, like anyone else, I've been to the doctor for a whole host of generic symptoms--can't sleep, headaches, nausea, fatigue... and like all of you, the doctors will then test me for a whole host of things that they guess it could possibly be.
While I feel very blessed to not have so many things they've tested me for, my heart always goes out to the people who DO suffer with these afflictions.
One of the charities I support is Diabetes Research, and in the latest newsletter I received today, there was a quote from a a Mom whose 3-year-old daughter suffers from type 1 diabetes. This woman made an incredibly poignant statement: "I always hear people say 'I pray for a cure.' I understand. I pray, too. But the bottom line is, money is what's going to cure diabetes. Not praying."
That statement has stayed with me all day. OF COURSE our trust is not in money, and we serve God above all else, NOT money. But the Bible also tells us... if someone is standing before us and is hungry, thirsty, in need, and we just say, "God bless you," or "I'll pray for you", what practical help are we really giving them?
And yet, we can't help everyone. Here are some other examples I've thought of today.
1. "I'll pray for the homeless." But how are we going to give the means to support themselves?
2. "I'll pray for a cure for cancer." But what do we pray? Do we pray for some brilliant scientist comes along and discovers a cure... all for free? At the very least, that scientist is going to need money to go to school.
3. "I'll pray for the church." Prayer is always helpful, but doesn't the church really need things like volunteers and funds to pay their bills?
4. I know there are a million examples but here's another one that's close to home: "I'll pray for CC." But will prayers alone, without donations, keep Christian Chat going?
"The bottom line is, prayer isn't going to cure or keep (insert your most passionate cause here) going. Money is."
I found this statement to be heartbreaking, raw, and very honest.
We will NEVER give up praying, of course. But at some point, God also calls us to roll up our sleeves and "Git R Done," too. After all, Jesus didn't save the world through His prayers alone.
What are your thoughts on the balance between prayer and actions when it comes to tackling the problems/diseases/pains of this world?