Sometimes, I feel like prayer is an excuse that allows us to be safe from where we are and really get involved. I’m not saying that we do this all the time… but I know from my own experience, that it’s easier to say “Man, we need to pray for the homeless” rather than praying for them AND going out to help them.
Or praying about something and waiting around wondering when God will answer our prayers.
I think prayer needs to be accompanied by actions. We pray and we act.
When we pray for a job… we pray, then we go look for a job, right? We don’t pray and just wait for the phone to ring with a job offer (and praise be to God when God chooses to work that way some times).
We pray and we act upon our prayers.
I’m sure you can find holes in that theory… and this post.
But prayer is not an excuse to stay inactive or stay within a comfortable distance from the community and the world. I believe that prayer gives us strength to roll up our sleeves and get our hands dirty with love within the community. We pray, and we act.
And when we say “I’ll pray for you” by golly, we should really pray for that person!
Joseph Yoo 
2 chronicles 20:15-29
Jehoshaphat prayed a prayer after he found out that a couple of kingdoms were attack him at once (i know you know the story). After the prayer, God told Him (v15) “No worries, this is My fight.” …but right after that He goes “go march down against them.” (v16), but reminds them right after, “You won’t have to fight them,” but again He says, “Take up your positionsl stand firm and see the deliverance the Lord will give you…”
Haha. I think that’s funny. Dude, don’t worry about the fight wit the sole, i’ll help you, but you still gotta go down to him… but don’t worry man, it’s not your fight, you won’t have to fight, but go and stand up to the guy. hahaha, that’s psycho… but it’s a huge test of faith.
In regards to the post, i think this is what we’re suppose to do. For me, my worry is not knowing what to do, but that SHOULDN’T stop us because “if any of you lack wisdom, he should as God who gives generously to all without finding fault.” It’s just a matter of prayer and faith to step out. “I don’t know what to do with the homeless..” Pray and ask for wisdom and start thinking about them. “I don’t have a job and i don’t know what to do.” Pray for a job and start looking for one…
I see where you got that example from, thanks.