"Feets"

“Feets”
“So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” - James 2:17

 Hey there, friends. As has become my practice, I am writing this on Sunday evening. This morning in Sunday school, the discussion was partly about prayer. In our nation today, the notion of prayer being an actual and effective thing to do is becoming increasingly uncommon. Many even find it laughable. Often when there are national tragedies, leaders will say something like, “Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted by this event” or words along those lines. And this is often met with backlash such as, “Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Something needs to be done.” Which, as was discussed in Sunday school, is both true and not true. It is true that praying is actually doing something, and that we do well to trust in the God of the universe rather than ourselves; but it is also true that prayer is the thing that gives us guidance and the will to act. As the verse above states, faith that does nothing is dead.
 
During our lesson, I recalled a story I was told by a friend years ago. In a less enlightened time here in the Deep South, it was common for white pastors to lead Black churches. This was because it was thought that people of color were in need of a white shepherd, because they may not be quite capable of managing on their own. Once upon a time, this kind of paternalistic racism was common, and to be fair it was in large measure well-intended, if incredibly misguided. Anyway, my friend’s father was such a pastor. At one of his churches, there was a sort of existential crisis over a planned “gentlemen’s club” that was being built—right next door to the church. For months, the church prayed fervently that the Lord would intervene. Then, one night just before the club was due to open, it “mysteriously” burned to the ground. The following Sunday in church, my friend’s father demanded of his congregation that the responsible party or parties confess. Finally, one older lady stood up and said, “Brother, sometimes you got to give feets to your prayers.”
 
Now, off the top of my head, I can’t think of any episodes in Scripture where God endorsed arson. Nevertheless, there is something to be said for giving “feets” to our prayers. The Bible verse immediately preceding the one above tells us that there is no point to telling a cold and hungry brother to be warm and filled if we aren’t going to actually do anything to help him. When James puts it that way, it seems glaringly, almost absurdly, obvious. Praying for people is real, and sometimes it actually is all we can do. But not always, and maybe not even most of the time. For example, I cannot cure cancer. But if I have a friend who has it, I can check in on them, take them a meal, or maybe just make sure I don’t become hesitant to touch or hug them (that happens when people have cancer; I’ve noticed it).
 
Our choice is actually pretty simple: We can look at all the sickness, heartache, and desperation in the world, tell ourselves we can’t fix it all, and become sort of spiritually paralyzed; or we can be like the little boy with the loaves and fish and take what we have to Jesus. He will take it from there. We don’t even have to know all about everything that’s going on with everybody. All we really have to do is pay attention and be kind. That  may look like financial generosity or generosity of time. It may be as simple as a brief conversation or even just a smile. Sometimes it’s just looking someone in the eye and making sure you call them by name. Have you ever thought about the fact that most of the people who serve us daily in places like grocery stores or restaurants wear their names? It doesn’t take that long to read a name and greet the child of God in front of you with respect and politeness.
 
So…pray. Pray without ceasing, as Paul says. Pray for your family, pray for your friends, pray for perfect strangers. Pray for our nation and our world. Send up prayers of gratitude and praise and joy. But while you’re walking around the world, don’t forget that whenever you have a chance, you need to give “feets” to your prayers.
 
Peace.
 
Jackie