Are Prayers Enough?
MARSHAE SUN
“Thoughts and prayers.” “I’m praying for you.” Intercessory prayer is simple to do, takes just a moment and can be equally worthless. For those who don’t believe in God and the power of prayer, of course, it’s worthless. “I’m struggling and I need real tangible help now. And you are asking your imaginary friend to do some nebulous something?” For those who do believe, it can be a huge help. The problems we bring to God are often the sort that are too big for us: an uncle has cancer, a pregnant couple’s baby has been diagnosed with an abnormality and won’t live, a friend’s dad dies unexpectedly weeks before her wedding, even something as simple as a job loss. There’s nothing we or the person in the situation can really do to change it. The only way is through, and through is scary. So of course we ask the only one we know big enough to have an effect, the only one powerful enough to help. God.
And He helps. That uncle was given 3 months to live when he was diagnosed; he lived for a year and a half. The baby would likely be stillborn, would have days at the most, but she went home from the hospital and got to celebrate her first birthday. The bride’s dad is still dead of course, but she and her groom had to finalize his pending divorce and it brought them closer, helped them work as a team. The inheritance helped pay for their house, and they’re still happily married 12 years later. God grows good out of the bad. New jobs are found.
Praying is still only the first step. God’s not wearing an infinity gauntlet. He doesn’t usually snap his fingers and things happen. It all takes time to go through. Fear and worry and sadness and even joy at the wins are exhausting, treatments are exhausting, but life goes on. People need someone to be there and listen, to help with all the tasks of daily life. Meals need made, laundry needs done, houses need cleaned, kids need cared for. That’s where we come in, or are supposed to.
I’m as guilty of this as most, probably more so. When people are going through tough times, I don’t know what to offer. I don’t know them well enough. I’m a horrible cook, I’m not great at comforting words, I feel like I’m intruding on time they don’t have, making more work for them if I ask them how to help. Like everyone, I’m busy. I’m free during the day, but my evenings and weekends aren’t my own. I have a million excuses. When I run out of those, I procrastinate on reaching out until it’s too late and too awkward. And yet again, I’ve done nothing. Do you know anyone who needs you now? What can you do to help?
Marshae Sun is a stay at home mother of two who loves to craft and listens better with her hands busy. She loves Marvel films, tabletop RPGs, and chocolate.