not everything God does is through prayer

the case for an action-oriented faith

This post may seem blasphemous, but I want to share a passage from the Bible (Exo 14).

So Israel is fleeing Egypt. And the Egyptians are now chasing them.

It says that the Israelites "cry out to God".

They’re praying for him. They’re doing what we’re told to do when we encounter a problem.

But God says the most interesting thing. He says

The LORD said to Moses, "Why do you cry to me? Tell the people of Israel to go forward. Lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the people of Israel may go through the sea on dry ground.

Isn’t it fascinating that God says, "Why do you cry to me?" He’s asking because they’re not supposed to at the moment.

As in, stop talking To me. Now is not the time for prayer. Instead, use what I’ve already given you.

In other words, Don’t pray. Instead, DO.

This passage is astounding to me.

Just for reference, part of my spiritual heritage is night-and-day prayer. I love the idea of intercession. I love the idea that prayer is our offensive weapon to do the work of God.

This passage is instructive for people who "pray" a lot but don’t "do". Don’t fall into the trap of being a person of prayer but not a person of action.

Because oftentimes the things that God has given us are already "blessed" and approved by him. In this case, the staff was given to Moses to do the work of God.

We don’t have staffs," but we have other things. We have our money, our skills, our time, etc.

Action is often expressed as prayer.

Action is never meant to displace God. But action is meant to be faithful to God.

We should always pray because we should always be connected to God.

But no matter what, we should take action. Faithful action is important.

What do you think about prayer and action?

You were made for greatness,
Phil.