“”When You Pray, Act; When You Act, Pray!”

When You Pray, Act; When You Act, Pray!”
Life is full of bitter ironies. In the face of famine the prophet Elijah provided never empty jars of flour and oil to the widow of Zarephath and her son. Ironically, some time later the child fell sick, got worst and stopped breathing.
Today let us focus on the woman’s words to Elijah and the prophet’s action and prayer.
The widow said to Elijah, “What do you have against me? Did you come to remind me of my sin and kill my son?” Elijah took the son, laid him on the bed, then cried out to the Lord, “O Lord my God, have you brought this tragedy also upon this widow I am staying with, by causing her son to die? Then he stretched himself out on the boy three times and cried out to the Lord, ‘O Lord my God, let this boy’s life return to him!’…The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived…”(I Kg 17:17-24).
We realise that the widow was conscious that she was a sinner. This means that all the while that she had been enjoying the never dry pots of flour and oil during acute famine, she knew that she was still not better than others! What a big lesson to us. When we are opportuned to enjoy lavish blessings from God, we shouldn’t think that it is because of our righteousness!
Secondly, prayer must be combined with action! Elijah did not only pray for the boy. While praying, “he stretched himself on the boy three times.” Some have called this resuscitation, because the text does not say the boy died, but that he stopped breathing. Whatever the case, the Lord is able to bring back to life when he so desires!
With God all things are possible! No matter how bleak the situation may be, take it to the Lord in prayer! With the Lord it is only bended but never broken! He can still straighten it again! Pray as if action does not matter and act as if prayer does not matter!
Prayer: Holy Spirit teach me to complement my prayer with action and let me always act prayerfully. Amen!
Welcome back to a new working week. Blessings, peace and love be with you!