Especially for You ...
DO Something!
There are times, I have found, when praying is not enough. God says, as it were, "What are you praying for? Do something!"
Moses, hotly pursued by Pharaoh, cried out to God, who replied, "Wherefore criest thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward" (Exodus 14:15, KJV).
After Israel's ignominious defeat at Ai, the desperate Joshua prostrated himself in prayer before the Lord, only to hear Him say, "Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned" (Joshua 7:10-11, KJV).
If our hearts are listening as we pray, we will from time to time hear, "What are you praying for? Do something!" And we will know what it is we must do. There will be a wrong to put right, a sin to confess, a letter to write, a friend to visit or a child to be rocked and read to.
C.S. Lewis suggested that as we pray, Christ stands beside us changing us. "You may realize that," he wrote, "instead of saying your prayers, you ought to be downstairs writing a letter, or helping your wife wash-up. Well, go and do it." And again, "I am often, I believe, praying for others when I should be doing things for them. It's so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see him."
And so it is with us. We must be quick to pray, and just as quick to obey.
from the June 2003 issue of "Decision" magazine
DO Something!
There are times, I have found, when praying is not enough. God says, as it were, "What are you praying for? Do something!"
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DonateAfter Israel's ignominious defeat at Ai, the desperate Joshua prostrated himself in prayer before the Lord, only to hear Him say, "Wherefore liest thou thus upon thy face? Israel hath sinned" (Joshua 7:10-11, KJV).
If our hearts are listening as we pray, we will from time to time hear, "What are you praying for? Do something!" And we will know what it is we must do. There will be a wrong to put right, a sin to confess, a letter to write, a friend to visit or a child to be rocked and read to.
C.S. Lewis suggested that as we pray, Christ stands beside us changing us. "You may realize that," he wrote, "instead of saying your prayers, you ought to be downstairs writing a letter, or helping your wife wash-up. Well, go and do it." And again, "I am often, I believe, praying for others when I should be doing things for them. It's so much easier to pray for a bore than to go and see him."
And so it is with us. We must be quick to pray, and just as quick to obey.
HOW TO BECOME A CHRISTIAN
Do you want to know more about what it means to become a Christian? Because Christ died, your sins can be forgiven, and because He conquered death you can have eternal life. Learn more »
Do you want to know more about what it means to become a Christian? Because Christ died, your sins can be forgiven, and because He conquered death you can have eternal life. Learn more »
Ruth Bell Graham
Ruth Bell Graham was the wife of evangelist Billy Graham and mother of five children. Born to missionary parents in China, Ruth faithfully supported her husband throughout his ministry, raising their children in his absences. Ruth was also a poet and author, and published a number of books. Visit the Ruth Bell Graham Memorial Web site»
Taken by permission from "Growing in Prayer," by Ruth Bell Graham, "Decision" magazine, May 1974, ©1974 Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, Charlotte, N.C.Ruth Bell Graham was the wife of evangelist Billy Graham and mother of five children. Born to missionary parents in China, Ruth faithfully supported her husband throughout his ministry, raising their children in his absences. Ruth was also a poet and author, and published a number of books. Visit the Ruth Bell Graham Memorial Web site»
from the June 2003 issue of "Decision" magazine
