In regards to the CA fire, prayer is indeed good, but why not also show your concern with actions?

Question

Good intentions only take you so far, good actions take you the rest of the way:

A good start -

Red Cross

http://www.redcross.org/news/ds/profiles/disaster_profile_CAWildfires.html

If you don't like the Red Cross post some alternatives.

The fire is in God's hands and pee to put the fire out? Are you serious?

When in history has God NOT used people to acomplish his goals?

I sometimes shake my head in disbelief with what comes out of the mouths of people.

Jorge - instead of taking offense and dodging the issue why don't you use that energy and do something?

I am going to do something that is within my means to do.

People pray and I said that it is good.

I'm not judging anyone as you are judging me right now. I'm offering a suggestion to put their prayers in action.

You are merely diverting the subject to smokescreen yourself for whatever reason you have. If you feel guilty about then don't waste your time and mine by posting a very unhelpful answer.

I CANNOT believe that this of all things would be criticized. It affirms my thoughts from last night...

How hard is it to donate money if you can't help in person?

*shakes head*

Some of the answers are truly sad.

Answer 1

Good point.

Prayer is very important......but action is too.
God can and will use organizations like the Red Cross.

Answer 2

I live in California, close to the fires, and I've seen the smoke on the horizon. Even though I'm an atheist, but I appreciate your concern, I know some people with relatives in the area. These people are going through a lot right now. cadisney- I know what you mean, I can smell the smoke too.

Answer 3

I'm from Orange County and know people who were/are affected by the Santiago Canyon fire, and the San Diego fires. At this point in time, for those that want to help from a distance, a monetary donation would be the best so that the Red Cross can purchase things that are needed, and can further help families in need... clothes, food, baby supplies, water, (I could go on).

Just know that the donations are greatly appreciated, and when making a donation, you can notate that you want it to go to the general fire fund, or to a specific fire.

Thank you all, and God bless!

Answer 4

People have donated money and clothes for victims who have lost their homes or have been evacuated because of the fires. Several organizations and agencies are asking for donations and volunteers to help people affected by the wildfires. The Red Cross had opened one shelter in the county at the Fillmore-Piru Veterans Memorial building in Fillmore. Landis said the Red Cross could open other sites throughout the county within hours, including ones in Simi Valley and Santa Paula. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is urging people who want to help others affected by the fires to donate money to nonprofit organizations active in disaster work. Officials said donated items, known as in-kind donations, can be logistically difficult to handle. Cash donations allow for organizations to easily purchase needed goods and services.

Answer 5

The rule for Christians is to treat others as you want to be treated. We are to provide for the less fortunate. People should do whatever they can to help in this and any other disaster. If you can only afford $5, then send it. Making excuses, insulting and judging Californians, blaming the disaster on a wrathful God, etc. are not reflecting the way in which Christ wants us to act.

Answer 6

I think if prayer actually possesses any real value at all, it's in the fact that it concentrates a person's mind on the issues that matter to him at the moment. It's a form of contemplative meditation. So to pray about the wildfires ought to focus your mind and help you gain some clarity, so that you can go out and do some actual good. To pray to God to intervene and then sit back and wait for Him to do it is worse than useless.

Answer 7

Agreed!!! Instead of talking about it, we should be doing what we can to help those people.

Network for Good has several different sites and ways to donate money, time and non-perishables. There are also charities in San Diego which are accepting all kinds of donations, including getting shelters for those who need them.

Answer 8

Good point. I also heard someone on the news last night point out that there are probably lots of house fires going on every night in your own state that you can help with locally by donating food, clothes, money, etc. These fires in CA help remind us to help out closer to home, too.

Answer 9

Once done praying... get out the checkbook, go and volunteer, take in a family, or plan on helping with rebuilding.

That fire is in the hands of people who are valiantly trying to put it out.

Another way to help is to contact your local fire department about contributing to the injured fireman's fund.

Answer 10

"Faith without works is dead." (James 2:26). God bless you for the help that you are personally offering.

It will be interesting to see how many of the good Christian people here on Yahoo Answers will get personally involved and make significant personal sacrifices to help those people whose lives have been devastated by the SoCal fires.

It will be interesting to see how many of these Christians go to southern California to help the people there... how many will give generously to the Red Cross and other organizations that are providing real help, not just prayer, for the people who've lost their homes and everything they had (and whose children still won't be eligible for S-CHIP because their parents had jobs)...

It will be interesting to see how many of the devout Christians who are so quick to condemn gay people and others of whom they disapprove, who applaud Bush's recent veto and denial of health care to children of working parents who can't afford health insurance, Christians who know all the answers in the Bible that disprove science, who condemn all other religions, including other Christians who disagree with them. It will be interesting to see how many of those people will truly sacrifice to help those in need.

Answer 11

I am actually praying that people would quit building in areas that are known for wildfires and areas in the typical paths of hurricanes (on the beach), so that middle class people can afford insurance for their homes and not have to pay so that rich people can rebuild their ridiculously over-priced houses. I am also praying that the environmentalists would see the benefits of controlled burns so that these wildfires wouldn't have as much fuel and burn uncontrollably.