I say we stop praying for Peace on Earth. Who's with me!? [see details]?

Question

The Innocent Deaths...

The Abused Children...

The Starving Masses...

The Penniless...

The Hopeless...

It's time to stop praying...

... And it's time to start acting.

Prayers are well wishes. But what if YOU actually did something to try to fix any of those problems? Instead of telling the man who's trying to build a house "Good luck", actually helping?

I always hear about how we should pray for this group of people, pray for that group of people. I think that prayers can be strong things, don't get me wrong.

But it won't put food in a starving man's stomach.

It won't clothe a woman in poverty.

It won't even aide to close the wounds of abused children.

I say it's time to stop standing on the side-lines. Get active in the Global Community. Go to New Orleans, Solomon Islands, ANYWHERE hit by ANY disaster to help them rebuild.

Give your old clothes away.

Adopt a child. If not, soothe a child you know who's been abused. Give toys to an orphanage.

Give food to a homeless person.

Anything to help them. It's what you'd want if you were in their situation, instead of "I'll be praying for you".

Because, let's face it, praying doesn't save you from the harsh, bitter winters when you live out on the street.

Praying doesn't save the heart of a child who has been tossed like a ragdoll into an orphanage.

I say we stop praying for Peace on Earth, and actually do something about it. Who's with me!?

Wow, people think I copy and pasted that?

... I'm hurt. I truly felt everything I typed as I typed it... good to know that people think that my feelings aren't mine.

Answer 1

I have a homeless woman, and her 2 children living with me now, you might say that they adopted us.
the 4 year old girl calls me papa, and she calls my wife Nana.

when we were homeless, God sent people to help us, one brought us food, he drove over 100 miles to find us.
another couple gave us a travel trailer, and we had not known them but a couple of weeks, my pastor drove 150 miles to bring us $400.00.
Sometimes prayer does work, but God uses people to do his work, and we do all need to do our share, if we all do what we can, then life becomes easier for all.
we never know when the seeds that we sow, giving to other, will bring forth the fruit that we need.

Answer 2

"If" God had a plan, praying wouldn't make much difference, would it? If prayers are empathy, & wishing, this is what we feel in ourselves. It's a "good" way to feel, but just the feeling accomplishes nothing. At the same time, for those who feel
that prayer has power, & praying is what they believe in, I'd never be critical of that--& some of those who responded, who believed in prayer, also believed in action. Why not do both? There are so many things we can DO! Personally, I don't believe that prayer changes anything. Perhaps if you'd rephrased your question, oh, something like--why don't we take action about the problems in the world? Why don't we get INVOLVED? Whatever. It's time to start ACTING? I understand your question, that praying (alone) won't help. I agree. Totally. Yet, even as an Atheist, I can see how this could antagonize people who believe in prayer, & not get the REAL MESSAGE ACROSS. You think?

Answer 3

Absolutely. Prayer is a great thing, and the thought-energy it transmits through the universe might well have a positive impact. But it's like a scale:
Thought and prayer is less powerful than words.
Words are less powerful than action.

If you want to pick up a stone, would you pray for it to rise? No, you'd bend down and pick the thing up, because that's the most direct solution. The same is true of poverty, of famine, of abuse. We need to stop giving up responsibility for action to someone else, be it a god, a political body, the scientific community. We can make a difference, personally, today, by instead of picking up a stone, picking up some food, some clothing, some money, some toys. Anything that helps bring a smile where there is little cause to smile. We might be tiny and small and ultimately pointless, I don't know, but we can still make a difference. But we have to MAKE that difference. Let's make it today.

Answer 4

Now I for one believe in the Human Race more than most people. I love to think we are all capable of helping. That has gotten me hurt more than once. So here is a helpful tip when actually helping those in poverty, and this usually only pertains to those who are homeless on the streets. Use your head, they are there for a reason, and I know we shouldn't judge or stereotype, but it's most likely drugs or alcohol. DONT GIVE THEM MONEY! Go buy food or clothing and give them that. Money will only allow them to buy more of the thing that got them there. Give them a ride to shelter, or clothes, or food as I said. If they are homeless or starving they are not going to care if your cheeseburger has onions, they are going to be greatful. Jesus is with the poor. You'd give food to Jesus wouldn't you?

Answer 5

It would not. that's component of Apostolic custom to ask for Mary and the saints to intercede. which potential this practice replaced into exceeded down via the Apostles who were guided and taught via Jesus. you received't discover it in any Bible, and Protestants won't be able to truly provide you plenty effectual comments about the custom. Wolfeblayde gave an fairly sturdy answer. don't worry about the Protestants on the following. 0.5 of them don't recognize what they're speaking about. even as the broke off from the Catholic/Orthodox church, they bumped off seven books from the Bible. for sure their expertise has some limits because of that.

Answer 6

I'm with you. Not that I feel prayers are pointless (I do believe in prayer) but actions are more important. There is a song by a Christian band named Tourniquet. It is symbolic and talks abuot how you are out at sea and a storm hits. Your boat is smashed up and you are left alone in your lifeboat. After days and days of praying you finally see signs of land. Now, are you going to sit there and continue to pray or will you get up and row? Prayer has its place, but if it is not accompanied with action, it is pointless. Faith without works is dead. Blessings in the Light of Christ!

Answer 7

I completely agree with you Loki Spakona. To many people don't take action to help make this world a better place. Just saying you'll pray for something isn't good enough, you have to get out there and do something, the future depends on it.

Answer 8

Of course we should act!
BUT you should not underestimate the power of prayer - regardless of your beliefs - prayer means empathizing with someone - thinking about people's worries and problems and wishing them a better life - it is just as necessary as action. I agree with what you're saying though - praying should be a driving force and a starting point - not an excuse for apathy.

Answer 9

Prayers/Wishes without action are as useful as expecting a plant to grow and holding the seed in your hand.

I don't think people should stop praying, but they should DO something as well.

Answer 10

Agreed, we must act FIRST then pray. In a hope that we could change even a slight part of the world to the better.