Thoughts and Prayers Problems

I spend a lot of time on the internet. Way more than I care to admit. If we could jack the internet directly into our brains, I probably would. I love being connected, I love the wealth of information that you can get by a push of a few buttons or screen presses. And since I am on the internet a lot I read a lot of stuff. From funny jokes, to combative posts on why religious people are dumb, to curious observations on the current state of everything.

I recently read a joking post on a popular Facebook page with an info-graphic making fun of people using the term "thoughts and prayers" when ever something bad happens in the world. At first I got mad like a good Christian American at the attack on what I believe. But then like a good Christian in general, I realized the attack was not an attack just a comment on what people are saying and doing in the world.

This phrase is often used when another shooting happens. "I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers." And as I thought about thoughts and prayers a thought occurred to me how little thought goes into that phrase usually. (I thought that the thought of the last sentence had just the right about of thought thoughts in it.) "Thoughts and Prayers" (From now on will be called T&P.) is a phrase that shows just enough care that you feel good about how you are seen by other people. I am sure there are people who do pray about it, which any Christian should be doing everyday without ever mentioning it. It is something that should be so deeply part of our lives that every thought should be a prayer. I suck at this but we all know that that is how close we should be to Christ.

See, I think T&P is not enough for us to do. Yes we should pray all the time, about everything, giving praise, asking for help, comfort, guidance, and whatever else we may need. But there comes a time when thoughts or prayers need to turn into action. When faith becomes more than a belief and turns into who we are. Wouldn't you like to be called "The Faithful" and really be that? There is a time when our words against violence needs to be action against sin.

At some point, we need to actually take steps into being Hands. When a tragedy strikes, we should be the first to be on the scene with food, water, clothing, or whatever the circumstance is. If a shooting, then we should be there as Ears and offering Hearts to everyone. Sometimes T&P are nothing more than words. As James said, 

"15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead." 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.

 You see, if we truly loved God with everything that we are, then we would want to do everything we can to let people know about him in deeds and in words. We need to begin to be action oriented people instead of those quiet people in the back. I do not feel this should be done with picketing anything, but by loving and supporting and doing things for people because they need it. Look at the causes of the tragedies and find ways to fix them. Love does not end wars, prayer alone does not fix problems, thoughts generally do nothing at all. It is not the thought that counts, but what you do with the thought. Action is always better.

Next time T&P is used by you or a close friend, ask yourself, or them, to go a little further and actually be the thoughts and the prayers that others are giving. Show the world God is working with more than hollow words. We are the body of Christ. Bodies do not think, they work, they do. Let's go Do.