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Praying should never be an excuse for not moving to action. There are times you realize that just Praying is not enough but we need to move to action. There are certain things God expects us to do when we pray. It’s almost like God is saying, “Why are you just Praying? Get up and do something!” 

When Moses was hotly pursued by Pharaoh, he cried out to God, and then the Lord said to Moses, “Why are you crying out to me? Tell the Israelites to move on” (Exodus 14:15). They just had to walk out in faith, not just stand in one place and cry out. 

The prophets of the Old Testament often reprimanded the people of Israel for focusing on  the ritual aspects of their faith (burnt offerings, prayer and fasting) but not doing anything practical to help the poor or support the marginalized (Is 1:11, Hos 6:6). 

Jesus himself  highlighted the hypocrisy of those who pray loudly in public to be seen and heard but do nothing to practically build God’s Kingdom (Matt 6:5). What James also stresses over and over is that, having prayed and meditated on God’s Word, we are to go out and do what it says! (James 1:22-25). 

How can we turn Prayer into Action?

1.    Move beyond your own personal needs:

An essential element of turning prayer into action is to look beyond your fears and desires and to look to what God is doing in the world. By seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit you become aware of what God is asking of you in terms of how you need to act in the world, no matter how large or small the action is.

2.     Act on what God is saying:

Have you checked if God is asking you to move and do one of these or all of them?

·     Share the gospel and your own personal testimony

·      Speak out against injustice

·     Support what is good and oppose what is bad

·     Support ministries that are sharing God’s Word in the world

·     A wrong to put right

·     A friend to call or visit

·     A sin to confess and forsake

·     Set family priorities right

3.      Overcome procrastination:

If you’re hesitating acting on what God is leading you to do, you try to postpone doing it in the future.  Recognize that God doesn’t want you to wait. God’s timing is always perfect, so whenever He first calls you to do something, it’s the right time to act. He will teach you how to proceed from there.

Consider the impact your action or inaction will have on others. 

Keep in mind that your choice to act – or not – will often affect not just you, but also other people. Also, your choice to act will inspire others to act on what God is calling them to do when they see you move forward in faith. If you don’t act on what God leads you to do, many people will potentially miss out on blessings they otherwise could have experienced from God working through you.

Prophet Micah put it down perfectly,“And what does the Lord require of you?                     To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)