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“Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person.” – Mother Teresa May, 2026 Moses told them, “Do not be afraid, stand firm, and see the deliverance that the Lord will accomplish for you today, for the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again.” (vs. 13b NRSV). Then comes my favorite verse: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Why do you cry out to me? Tell the Israelites to go forward.’” (vs. 15 NRSV). I especially like the way The Living Bible renders it: “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!’” The Lord commanded Moses, “But you lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, that the Israelites may go into the sea on dry ground.” (vs. 16 NRSV). Moses did as he was commanded, and the Lord divided the sea so that the people were able to cross safely (vs. 21-22). At first, Moses cried out to the Lord, but then he listened to the Lord and acted. The people of Israel wouldn’t have been able to escape from Pharaoh and his pursuing army if Moses hadn’t “quit praying” and started everyone moving. The story of the Exodus would be very different if it had happened at all. During a couple of recent online discussions, I was accused of denying the value of prayer, which was certainly not true. In one instance, someone had gotten a new job and was asking for advice from others who had worked for the same employer. One response was, “You just need to pray. You do not need to hear about other's [sic] experiences. . . .” I responded that constructive advice from others would certainly be helpful and that the job seeker had undoubtedly gotten to this point by doing something besides sitting and praying. In another discussion, I questioned the value of “thoughts and prayers” after a tragic death, which brought an accusation that I didn’t believe God answered prayer. That’s not true either. I’ve simply heard the refrain “thoughts and prayers” too many times. Politicians are quick to offer “thoughts and prayers” in response to tragedies they could have done something to prevent, but not actions. But “thoughts and prayers” bring limited comfort to people who are grieving, and “thoughts and prayers” are no substitute for meaningful legislation. Guest preacher Dr. Antonio Settles recently told our church that in times of distress, Christ’s disciples, including us, cry out, “Lord, don’t you care?” Similarly, the people of Israel asked Moses, “Don’t you care?” As Moses did, we need to hear God’s voice saying, “Don’t you care? Then do something.” Paul told the Thessalonians, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,” (1 Thes. 5:16-17 NRSV). He did not tell them, “pray without doing.” Prayer should always be our first response, but it shouldn’t be our only response. James knew the value of prayer because he wrote, “The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.” (Jas. 5:16b NRSV). But before that, he wrote, “Anyone, then, who knows the right thing to do and fails to do it commits sin.” (Jas. 4:17 NRSV). He didn’t write, “fails to pray about it,” he wrote, “fails to do it.” I believe God answers prayer when things are beyond human abilities, but I also believe God expects us to do whatever we can. Certainly, there are circumstances when all we can do is pray. But we need to discern when our own actions are needed. Prayer is not a “last resort” but neither is it the only resort. Moses knew that prayer is a two-way street. It involves both speaking and listening. When Moses cried out to the Lord, the response was, “Get moving!” I’m convinced the Lord is saying the same thing to you and me. “The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” (Phil. 4:5b-6 NRSV.) Copyright © 2026 by David Phelps
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