Everytime I suggest some type of violence or battles to stop things like this (like with abortion), I always get replies that instruct me to pray more, or encourage more people to pray…why would situations like this be any different, shouldnt prayer be the real answer?
Prayer comes first, but then how is that prayer answered? Most often, God uses
US, Christ’s hands and feet, to
be the answer to prayers. He then inspires, coordinates, and expands the possibility of success of our actions.
Too often these days we use “let’s pray about it” as an excuse for inaction, forgetting that we are called to ACT, not just to pray. Prayer without action, like faith without works, is dead. Do something.
Otherwise, why not just pray for poor people and not bother to help them? Why not pray for orphans and widows but not take them in or offer them a meal? Why not pray for justice for slaves and children being abused, rather than do the hard work of advocating for them and righting the wrong? When someone feels lonely or unloved, why not just pray for them rather than showing them love and friendship? Why not just shut yourself up in a church and pray that all your problems (or even those of another person) will just go away, without taking it upon yourself (or taking any personal responsibility) to do anything else about it?
This is why I say that prayer without action is dead. If there is something else we CAN do, then we are called to do it. Not to even attempt to do it is a sin of omission.
For some people, that action will be raising awareness. For many (most Americans are capable of this) it could be donating money or time (volunteering) or being advocates to authority–exercising our citizenship to get our government to do things within its rightful power.
And that rightful power includes everything from organizing massive aid, passing laws, granting shelter and asylum, and yes, using physical force when warranted.
We are called to use all means within our power, as instruments of God’s will, as Christ’s hands and feet. Let’s do it, not just hide under the pretext the prayer alone will get us out of having to do anything else.