When to Pray and When to Act

Sometimes all we can do in a situation is persevere in prayer. 

For example, when an unsaved loved one refuses to let us share Christ with them.(1) 

Romans 12:12: "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." 

Sometimes when we pray, God tells us to wait and gives us time to prepare. 

For example, we may pray about a job, a ministry opportunity, a relationship, or a move to another location, and God tells us to wait because it's not the right time yet.

Isaiah 40:31: "Those who wait for the LORD will gain new strength." 

Sometimes we need to follow our prayers with action. 

For example, when praying about a relationship problem, we shouldn’t use prayer as an excuse to do nothing. We can do a number of things commanded in Scripture.

Romans 12:18: "Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone." (See the whole passage: Romans 12:9-21.)

So let’s pray about everything (Philippians 4:6). Then let’s persevere, wait “constructively,” or act. 

To read more, see the 3 Results of Prayer Series.

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(1) This 1-minute devotion offers 6 things we can do: When Loved Ones Aren't Saved.

(2)  Sometimes God only gives us 1 piece of the "puzzle." This 1-minute devotion offers 4 good reasons why God sometimes makes us wait: 4 Puzzle Pieces.

(3) We need to be sure we don't use prayer as an excuse to do nothing: See The Prayer Excuse. See also Colossians 3:12-14.

 

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