Why is praying for someone considered charitable?

[Bohm_Bawerk]

I would understand the need for prayer if someone was in a hopeless situation, but for most situations, why would charity be considered charitable? It merely says to God (assuming He exists), “You do the actual work”.

Am I missing something here?

 

[valentino]

All people are sinners.Even eventually Canonized saints(mother Thereasa)have weaknesses and therefore prayer to strenghten them so they can fight these weaknesses.It charitable to pray for them because instead of helping them(her)monetarily or assisting them in their work you are still giving.Its true we are asking God to do the work because we are unable to do it.but why isn’t that charity?Charity can come in a variety of ways.In fact praying is are best form of charity in many cases.Jesus loves it when we turn to Him in prayer.In many cases its more valuable than giving to others.

 

[odhiambo]

I would understand the need for prayer if someone was in a hopeless situation, but for most situations, why would charity be considered charitable? It merely says to God (assuming He exists), “You do the actual work”.

Am I missing something here?

(assuming He exists),

 

[Mark_David]

Everyone is in a hopeless situation without the grace of God. Grace is a gift, not a right. Mountains can be moved with the power of prayer, and hearts can be healed and changed.

 

[Trishie]

Jesus promises,* “Ask and it will be given to you; search, and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For the one who asks always receives; the one who searches, always finds; the one who knocks will always have the door opened to him. Is there a man among you who would hand his son a stone when he asked for bread? Or hand him a snake when he asks for a fish? … How much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!”*[Matthew 7:7-11]

When we pray for anyone or for ourselves, we don’t sit around wringing our hands expecting everything to happen without effort on our part and on the part of those for whom we pray.

If we pray for someone who is depressed we are asking God’s graces for them, but the person must also help himself, herself by consciously trying to improve their mental state and trying to be more thankful and positive.

If we pray for someone to find work, we expect them to try the best they can, not just to sit around hoping work will fall in their lap.

When we pray for someone who is ill, we expect them to seek reasonable medical means to get well

 

[Trishie]

Prayer as an act of charity

Jesus, those who devote much effort to prayer may be labelled ‘lazy’ and ‘impractical’. That is how Your friend Martha regarded her sister Mary. Yet, both sisters loved You dearly. Martha was a virtuous, practical woman who understood that charity requires us to serve others. Her valued guest required food and hospitality. This could not be achieved if everyone sat idle. Martha prepared your meal, but Mary remained idly with you. To Martha she appeared to be failing You.

You kindly defended Mary because of the love she offered to You, love that You often were denied by others. While Mary was offering love and attention to a fellow human, she was also giving her love to God, for You are fully human, but also fully divine.
Within one act, Mary of Bethany fulfilled Your two commandments of love.

Those who ask for prayer are seeking genuine charity of remembrance, time and effort. Their need is sometimes desperate, and while in crisis, they may be unable to sustain faith or to pray. They find reassurance in our promise to pray for their intentions! They receive our promise as an act of love.

The understanding that prayer is genuine charity, does not absolve anyone of responsibility to give practical aid to others. As Saint James wrote, love does not say, “eat well and keep warm” and then walk away. Even in our poverty, we may give something. Please help us to be generous, in the act of love that is prayer for others, and in our practical charity.

Dear Jesus, friend of both Mary and Martha, and beneficiary of the acts of kindness and love of each, please grant us to emulate both Your dear friends in our lives.