ASK AND ACT
MAY 4, 2025
Text : In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. ( James 2:17 )
Many Christians today pray with their mouths and hearts, but not with their hands and feet. They use prayer as a way to avoid taking action. While prayer is an important and necessary part of the Christian life, it should not be used as an excuse to avoid living out one’s faith in action.
Prayer without action is like never putting the vehicle into gear. The engine will keep on running without the car moving forward. On the other hand action without prayer is like trying to drive a car without fuel. It simply does not work. So a balance has to be struck between prayer and action. They go hand in hand.
So many christian are found of saying ” I will pray and leave the rest for God ” The more complete response is to “pray about it, act on what needs to be done, and leave the results up to God.” So much prayer misses that middle step.
We pray hard and then we do everything in our power to be part of the answer. God has not called us to be passive. He’s called us to be his partners. We must be ready for action, for faith and works go together: Having prayed, we must be the instruments on occasions by means of which God answers our prayers.
As students, prayer is important, but we must also act by reading our books, studying, and applying ourselves in our studies. As graduates, prayer is important, but we must also act by actively searching for jobs and putting in the effort to find meaningful work. As professionals, prayer is important, but we must also act by continually honing our skills, networking, and striving for excellence in our fields.
Praying for others while neglecting to help them in practical ways is a form of hypocrisy. When people comes to you to pray with them concerning their request and you discovered that you have the answer to their request , act by giving.
In Joshua 7:10-12, following the defeat of the children of Israel at the battle of AI, Joshua fell down before the lord in prayer. Rather than God responding to the fervent prayers of the defeated leader of his people, What did God tell him to do? “So the LORD said to Joshua, ‘Rise up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face? Israel has sinned, and they have also transgressed My covenant which I commanded them’” (7:11). In effect, God told Joshua it was time to stop praying and act on the evil that resulted in defeat!
In conclusion, Faith moves mountain but you have to keep on pushing (action) while praying.
SEARCHLIGHT: Start with prayer, End with action
PRAYER: Father, as I take necessary action give me beautiful results for my prayers.
BIBLE READING: 2 Chronicles 36, Ezra 1-2 & Ephesians 5.
PST. MICHAEL OMOLE
