Thoughts, prayers and action are not mutually exclusive. They can all still exist together. You don’t have to abandon praying in order to get action.
Thoughts and prayers ARE action!
However,
Thoughts and prayers should also LEAD to wise, God ordained action through the prayers. God is a God of action, through praying people…
James 2:14-17 (NKJV)
14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
That’s why the “Our thoughts and prayers are with you” platitude causes some problems…
To many people, that’s all it is, a nice platitude…the right thing to say at the time.
Too many people say it, but don’t pray.
When and if they do pray, are they praying according to God’s will, or for Him to act according to theirs?
When they do pray, are they praying in humility, or telling God what to do?
When they pray, do they really have faith and believe?
James 1:6 (NKJV)
6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
And most importantly, is their prayer to the LORD God of Israel through our Lord and Savior, Yeshua, Jesus Christ?
Don’t let the enemy diminish the power of your prayer to meaningless, empty words.
The next time you tell someone, “My thoughts and prayers are with you”…
Pray for them…
Pray for wisdom…
Pray for God’s will to be done…
Then do what is within your power to help.
BE BLESSTIFIED!
BE BLESSTIFIED! 
My good friend. As christians if we matched our actions with our words, then no one would accuse us of worn out expressions or phrases. No, they welcome whatever we offered as they would know it came directly from God Himself.
LikeLiked by 4 people
That is so true. Much of it is on us.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I sometimes feel that the phrase is just a platitude, but I’ve also seen resulting answers to corporate prayer. As a country weve gotten so far away from the action of praying together that we may feel it doesn’t make a difference, but God answers all prayers according to HIS will. Thanks for reminding us of the power of our prayers and to use it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
You’re welcome. Yes there is great power in corporate prayer. It just hurts me to hear so many people in their pain make it seem meaningless.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I know I have seen that a lot on social media this week. Prayer is the only answer for the complacency that has invaded our land.
LikeLiked by 3 people
I’ve seen it on social media and heard it on the news. That’s really what inspired this post.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks for saying things I have been concerned about too.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yes! Action and prayer should both be a part of our response. Pray first, then act. A lot of problems happen when people REact without praying first.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Amen! You got the nail on the head.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes. Thoughts, prayers and action. Thanks for the great insight, as always.
Be BLESSTIFIED!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you my friend:-)
LikeLiked by 2 people
“Thoughts and prayers should also LEAD to wise, God ordained action through the prayers. God is a God of action, through praying people…” – Awesome stuff right here Aldrtric
Was recently discussing this kind of thing with some friends and we concluded that as soon as the request or offer for prayer comes us then get on right there and then cause lets be honest, many say it and then get so busy when we see those we said we would pray for a week later we feel so bad cause we completely forgot.
In regards to the “thoughts and prayers” being thrown around when there has been a shooting I am wondering how many of those thoughts and prayers from then usual suspects are actually heard from God. Does God hear or listen to the prayers and thoughts of lip service people? I’m not sure, it could be a great 50 part post series though lol. (I will leave that up to you)
Thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks my friend. Yes, there are so many times I have said, “I will pray for you and never did it”. Now, I try to pray immediately and add that particular person to my daily prayers. Thanks again for commenting and have a BLESSTIFIED day!
LikeLike
Yep
LikeLiked by 1 person