Works, Works, or Works?
Food for Thought
An all-creatures.org Guide to Kingdom Living

© 2002 by Joyce C. Lock

Scenario No. 1

A child has just become a victim of a hit and run accident.  Now, laying in the middle of the road, with traffic coming.  Their back could be injured, making it not safe to move them.

You begin to pray, "Oh, dear God, 'help me' bless this child.  Help him or her to not feel fearful and ease their pain.  I know that you're the Great Healer.  So, I'm going to take this child home with me and decorate a bedroom for them to stay (making them feel welcomed and comfortable) as they're healing."

Scenario No. 2

Second verse, same as the first. It ain't no better, but it does get worse.   A child has just become a victim of a hit and run accident.  Now, laying in the middle of the road, with traffic coming.  Their back could be injured, making it not safe to move them.   You begin to pray, "Oh, dear God, bless this child today.  Help them to not feel fearful and ease their pain.  I know you're the Great Healer and in control of all things.  So, protect them from oncoming traffic and may help come soon,"  then keep going, to meet your appointment.  

Scenario No. 3

A child has just become a victim of a hit and run accident.  Now, laying in the middle of the road, with traffic coming.  Their back could be injured, making it not safe to move them.

You begin to pray, "Oh, dear God, here I am.  Send me.  Bless this child through me.  Let me hear the need of their heart.  Give me your words to meet that need, as we wait together.  I know you're the Great Healer.  Guide me as to how to best bring comfort and ease their pain.  And, Lord, being in control of all things, protect us from oncoming traffic and give someone the heart to call for help."

WORKS of the Flesh - Dead WORKS - WORKS of Faith

Three choices in how to pray.  

Consider reading the following verse this way ...

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, seeking my face (which is turning from their wicked ways) then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

Works that Work

The next time you feel led to pray, try reporting for instruction.
Then, watch God begin to heal the hearts and lives of people.

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The purpose of this series is to encourage people to live as loving, compassionate, and peacemaking children of God: Jesus tells us to pray, "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (Matthew 6:10) God tells us through Micah (6:8), "He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you But to do justice, to love kindness, And to walk humbly with your God." And we know from Revelation 21:4 that there will be no more mourning, or crying, or pain, or death. Thus, Christian living requires us to set the standards of these conditions here on earth for our fellow human beings, and for the other animals, as a witness to the rest of the world. To do otherwise is not Christian.