What Actions Do Your Prayers Require? | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

What Actions Do Your Prayers Require?

God acts to move us to action

780
What Actions Do Your Prayers Require?
Digioptix

What actions do your prayers require of you? Weird question, huh? Why would my prayers move me to action? Why wouldn't they move God to action? Think about the question. What action do your prayers require of you?

The goal of prayer is to change our hearts. Of course God still works in supernatural ways and grants prayers that are in line with His will. But He wants to make us more like Him. That requires change. Change requires action. God constantly acts to move us to action. As Matthew West puts it,

“Well, I just couldn’t bear the thought of people living in poverty, children sold into slavery. The thought disgusted me. So, I shook my fist at Heaven Said, “God, why don’t You do something?” He said, “I did, I created you!”

If I pray for God to help me to meet someone’s needs, how is God going to help me when I don’t know the needs of that person? Sure, God could just make a list of their needs and set it on my desk with a step-by-step explanation of how their needs will be met. But God is all about relationships. He wants people to know His love. He would much prefer that I go to that person and ask them what their needs are and let them know I’m praying for them. Then I can pray about the best way to go about meeting those needs.

If I pray for God to help keep someone accountable for staying in His word, how is God going to help that person stay accountable without any volunteers? Again, God is omnipotent, but He wants to use us to minister to others. He loves it when we love others. If it is truly our desire to help this person with accountability, then we had better be asking them questions to hold them accountable. And we ask God to give us wisdom as we do so.

Do you want God to help the lady who lives alone to not feel lonely? Pray that He will help you to make time to visit her or help you to find someone to visit her. Do you want somebody to find a job? Ask them if you can assist them in any way (driving them to an interview, helping with the application). Ask God to help them get the job if it will be a good thing for them.

Prayer is where the natural and supernatural meet. We do what we can to help the person in need, and God guides our spirits through the process, giving us the resources and wisdom to lovingly serve them. The two greatest commandments are to love God and to love others. Prayer is where we work out how to do this. Prayer highlights how God will guide us in the actions He desires us to take.

So, again, I ask you. What actions do your prayers require of you?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

183018
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

9700
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

454196
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

24309
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments