Perhaps the phrase “thoughts and prayers” has been overused in recent years in our society. There is some push back by critics who believe politicians, law enforcement, celebrities and media repeat the statement too often to feel like they are doing something when they really mean to do nothing more at all, beyond the press conference following a tragic event. That may or may not be a valid criticism depending on who says it and under what circumstances.

Pope Francis has been in a little hot water just recently for things he said in a closed door meeting. But there is a Francis quote I do like and have shared before: “You pray for hungry people, and then you feed them. That is how prayer works.” Saying thoughts and prayers at a press conference regarding the war in Ukraine may not have a meaningful impact. But when Americans travel to Ukraine, to bring medical supplies and assist missionaries and local church leaders already there to feed hungry people, that does make a meaningful difference. When displaced families see men and women leave the safety and comfort of home, putting themselves in harm’s way and enduring the hardships of a land at war to offer help, then it is a comfort when those volunteers say “we are praying for you.” It’s more than lip service when you can be seen loving your neighbor, not just talking about loving your neighbor.

When the Red Cross – and Red Crescent, as the organization is called in Muslim countries – is providing medical aide to displaced citizens of Israel and Gaza, then real lives are helped in real ways. There are Christian relief organizations on both sides of that conflict helping to rescue survivors, transport wounded, and bring food and water to those who need it. Go the extra mile is an old saying based on the words of Jesus when he said “If someone compels you to walk with him one mile, go with him two.” When hurting people see believers do that, they are more likely to listen to the words they have to share. People saying empty words at a press conferences, and critics yelling at the television, have something in common if you think about it; both are speaking while neither does anything.

The image at the top of this page was created by someone who does not believe prayer changes things or has an effect in our world. Believers that have seen prayer change lives and know that God hears and answers should know what’s wrong with that image. That does not represent what we believe about prayer. On the one hand I would like to say that we are praying to the one that can turn off the faucet. Or for that matter shut the water off to the whole house. It’s his house. But the more I think about it… the faucet handle is labeled world problems. All the problems in this world are caused by people. The terrorist group Hamas started the war between Israel and Gaza. Vladimir Putin, against the will of nearly every person in Russia, invaded Ukraine and started that ongoing conflict. People are displaced, starving, exploited and enslaved not by God but by other people. There are some, that we have already described, doing what they can in a lost and dying world to bring hope. Hope for this life in the form of food, water, medicine and blankets, and hope of eternal life by sharing the Gospel. Pray for those people. Pray for volunteers, disaster relief organizations, and the people they are trying to reach. Support those relief efforts financially; as we have been blessed so let us bless others. And playfully consider going. It doesn’t have to be behind enemy lines in a hostile territory like the Gaza strip. Take a week or two and travel to the central US, to states flooded and damaged by tornadoes. Spend your next vacation doing short term missions instead of getting sunburned standing in lines at Disney World. Maybe considering spending a summer – or longer – on the mission field.

Some can give, some will go, we all pray. Prayer changes things, sometimes it’s the person that prays.