Prayer and action is something necessary for everyone. Prayer is used to change situations to the better. The place of proper action in response to our prayers cannot be overemphasized.

Battles need prayer but not all need prayer they just need right action to be conquered but some Christians love to put prayer instead.

Nehemiah’s Prayer and Action

And we prayed to our God and set a guard as a protection against them day and night.

Nehemiah 4:9

Nehemiah was a man of prayer and action. He believed in God’s power to save had he not believe he wouldn’t have made his prayer to Him. This teaches us to look to God first in every situation we might encounter. During the time of Nehemiah they were in captivity but that didn’t make Him to forget His God even in the presence of the king he still prayed.

From the text we learnt that he prayed then he took action setting guard both day and night meaning we should not relent in playing our role day and night and not get weary even when it seems God isn’t there. This is where most Christians get it all wrong. Prayer is good but cannot replace God’s expectations from us. We should note that taking action in prayer doesn’t mean we’re doubting God or we want to help God but rather we are performing our responsibilities.

David

When the ark of convenant was returning back to Israel. We learnt that God wanted them to follow the due order we could see prayer will never replace the place of action. God has given us rest, why should we put ourselves under unnecessary yoke again?

Because you did not carry it the first time, the Lord our God broke out against us, because we did not seek him according to the rule.

1Chronicles 15:13

It is good to pray and even always! At the same time we shouldn’t leave any stone unturned. We cannot use prayer to coax God to do things for us.

Just as faith without work is dead so also is prayer without proper action. In prayer we trade our weaknesses for God’s strength.

God’s desire for His children is that they pray and receive instant answer to their request, why? Because we have the mind of Christ to pray according to His will.

Remember the disciples after they prayed to God for strength and boldness to preach the gospel they didn’t after praying go and hide. They launched out to make the gospel known. This means we have to swift into action if we will see the nation’s saved and not just praying alone. Most times we pray without proper action this will make our prayers look unanswered.

The merciful are blessed for they shall obtain mercy this means even though one is praying for mercy it is expected to show mercy to others. This is God’s principle for a Christian living.

Learn from Nehemiah, David and the disciples the art of prayer and proper action.