When Do We Pray or Act?

 August 13, 2024

Tuesday

If you have the option of doing something for the Lord or praying to the Lord, which do you choose? Many of us will admit that it just depends. After being defeated by the farmers of Ai, Joshua goes to God in prayer. He gets an unexpected response from God.

Joshua 7:10 (NASB 2020) ¹⁰ So the Lord said to Joshua, “Stand up! Why is it that you have fallen on your face?

The city of Jericho and all of its spoils had been devoted to the Lord. Achan took some things and hid them under his tent. The problem wasn't that God didn't act to help Israel defeat the town of Ai. The problem was that there was sin in the camp and it must be dealt with first. So, prayer wasn't what was needed at the moment. Confession and consecration of the people was called for. Severe action against this transgression would serve as an example to all the Israelites that complete obedience to the Lord was necessary if they were to expect that He would walk with them.

Of course, most of us will take action when we know what action to take. We go to God in prayer when only He can give what we need to do. So, prayer is necessary to act but prayer cannot be a substitute for action. When someone comes to us with a need our normal response is, "I'll pray for you." That may be exactly what we need to do when we don't know what to do or have no power to change the need they present to us. However, that isn't where we need to go when we know what God has called us to do.

Let's say a lady comes to my church and tells me that she hates her job. She can't stand working there because the environment is toxic. It isn't just her situation but the whole company is in a malaise. I can't change her job for her. I can pray for her to get a new job. I can encourage her to apply for new jobs.

In another scenario a lady comes into my church and tells me she has a flat tire. I don't tell her that I will pray for her. I go out and change her flat. (There have been exceptions; like when I am fifteen minutes from doing a funeral.)

The key is knowing when prayer alone is necessary and when actions plus prayer are necessary. The question we must ask is if we already know what we need to do. If so, we must do it.

James told us just that:

James 2:15–16 (NASB 2020) ¹⁵ If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, ¹⁶ and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

On the other hand when Jesus' disciples couldn't cast out a demon from a boy, he told them why they were unable to do so.

Mark 9:29 (NASB 2020) ²⁹ And He said to them, “This kind cannot come out by anything except prayer.”

So, discernment is needed for the time to pray and the time to act. The danger is getting the two mixed up.