Pray then act

God Morning Everyone,

I heard two phrases from Mario Marillo, yesterday, that hit me right between the eyes, so to speak. Here they are, some people talk about their prayer life as a part of their coming and going and mean it to be a part of what they do as they do life. The saints of old, talked about a life of prayer where they make time out of this life to do life, like job, family friends, going places, etc.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 (AMP) says; "Be happy [in your faith] and rejoice and be glad-hearted continually (always); 17 Be unceasing in prayer [praying perseveringly]; 18 Thank [God] in everything [no matter what the circumstances may be, be thankful and give thanks], for this is the will of God for you [who are] in Christ Jesus [the Revealer and Mediator of that will]."

Paul understood there were things to do as he said this. After all, he was a tentmaker by trade. He also traveled the known World or at least the part of it the Lord allowed him to go into. In the midst of all this he said; "pray without ceasing", which BTW, comes from the Greek words "proseuchomai adialeiptōs" meaning to pray without intermission, incessantly, without ceasing.

In another Epistle he says in Ephesians 6:18 (AMP); "Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people)." This comes at the end of the passage on putting on the whole armour of God, putting on Jesus. This means daily, BTW.

Here's where the rubber meets the road, so to speak. 1 Corinthians 13:1 (NKJV) says; "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal." Love is an action, not just a warm and fuzzy feeling. An old song says; "we will show we are Christians by our love." How do you show anything by doing nothing, action wise? YOU DO NOT!!!! 

In another Book, James the brother of Jesus, in James 2:16-17 (AMP) says; "And one of you says to him, Good-bye! Keep [yourself] warm and well fed, without giving him the necessities for the body, what good does that do? 17 So also faith, if it does not have works (deeds and actions of obedience to back it up), by itself is destitute of power (inoperative, dead)."

We can pray all we want, and that's what the Lord has commanded in 2 Chronicles 7:14, but until action is put into those prayers, there's nothing that will happen. In John 14:12 (KJV) Jesus said; "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater [works] than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father." The Lord, Himself, didn't stay in one place, just praying and waiting for His Father and the Precious Holy Spirit to do something, NO, Jesus "went about doing good" Acts 10:38 says. 

My encouragement to you, today, is twofold. First make your life a life of prayer. This DOES NOT INCLUDE just Church on Sunday (even online today) and a small devotional time daily, if at all. Martin Luther is known for saying; "I'm going to be so busy today, I need to pray 4 hours." Secondly, ask the Father what He would have you do. The very least would be to share the "Good News" with others.

Besides that, though, talking to others about the happenings of today and God's perspective would be a great thing. This includes telling others, forwarding posts as to what is really happening in our society because the "fake news" will not do that. **Giving to ministries that are doing God's work is another way. Maybe, consider running for office yourself, could be a possibility. If Christians don't stand up and fight, the enemy has his people ready and waiting to fill the void. We all are experiencing what DOING NOTHING by the Church and the people of God has produced. **I'm being asked daily, to give to individual people and ministries. I know there are infinite needs in this World, but pray and the Lord will show who to give to and support. There are even scams using modern pastors and prophets, asking for money. The true ministers of God, in my opinion, don't ask for money, they are funded by God through people, but God leads, not man.

Ask the Lord, HE WILL TELL YOU WHAT YOU SHOULD DO!!!!! Pray then "run the race that is set before us" Hebrews 12:1 says. We can AND WILL TAKE BACK WHAT THE ENEMY HAS STOLEN if we follow Jesus in everything He has called us to do. We all have a job to do, in the Body of Christ. Please just do it, in the Name of and through the Blood of Jesus. BTW - I still believe "shock and awe" is coming, but we will still have our part to do, in, through, and after the show.

Love in Jesus,

David