All pictures in this post were taken by either my brother, Tyler Nutt, who is a cameraman for ABC news or his partner and reporter, Stephen Quinn. They have been in southeast Texas since Sunday covering hurricane Harvey and gave me permission to share these photos.
You know what I’ve noticed in the last week with all that’s happening in Texas with hurricane Harvey? A lot of people are praying. And a lot of people are sharing on social media that they are praying.
If I see one more picture on Instagram of the outline of Texas or the Texas flag and the words “Praying for Texas”…….
But I’m getting ahead of myself.
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Why the “Praying” posts bother me
I think we can agree that the devastation and destruction that’s going on in Texas is pretty tragic, right? But here’s the thing. We all know about it. And guess what else, if you’re a Christian with any kind of online presence, I’m pretty sure we know you’re a Christian. Hopefully we do. Hopefully you don’t keep your faith completely a secret. And if we know you’re a Christian, we can infer that you’re praying. Right? Am I right in assuming that?
So guess what! You don’t have to tell the whole world that you’re praying!
“And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward.” Matthew 6:5 ESV
Think for a moment about what your true intentions are in telling the world that you’re praying for Texas.
Is it to spread the word and awareness that something terrible is happening in our country? Because, as I already mentioned, we all know.
Is it to tell people that you are a Christian and you believe in the power of prayer? Again, as I said, we should already know that. And if you really want to tell people about the power of prayer, show it. Use examples. Encourage others to pray. Write more than “Praying for Texas.”
Is it to get attention? To get likes? To toot your own horn? Or to keep up with your virtual neighbor who posted that really cool picture of the Houston skyline with the overlay of the word “Praying” in that unique font? Here lies the problem.
So yes. Please do pray. Prayer is so powerful. Please hear me when I say that. In fact, prayer is the most powerful thing you can do. But it’s easy. It’s easy to sit in your comfortable home that’s free of water damage and pray. And it’s easy to tell the world that you are praying and to feel good about yourself.
And if any of the people shouting from behind their phones and computers that they’re “Praying for Texas” are like me (or at least like I have been in the past), they aren’t actually praying. Or at least not as much as they want us to believe. I’m sure some of them said a quick prayer “God, please help the people affected by Harvey. Amen”, posted on social media that they’re praying, and then went on with their lives.
Not everybody who posted did this, I know. But some did, I’m sure.
But I’m getting too far off topic.
My point is, yes prayer is important. Go pray in your room with the door shut. And then go to Houston and help if you can. Send money and supplies. Do something tangible that will help immediately. Love your neighbor. Oh, and you don’t have to tell the world that you’re doing that either.
“But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.” Matthew 6:6 ESV
The following are pictures of the Coast Guard after flying into Port Arthur to rescue people on their houses.
So here are some great ways to help (not scams):
Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort
The American Red Cross
You also can also text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10.
Convoy of Hope
You can also text CONVOY to 50555 to donate $10.
Texas Diaper Bank
5415 Bandera Road Suite 504
San Antonio, TX 78238
If you live in Texas:
- Drop off food and clothing donations – http://www.houstonemergency.org/donations-drop-off/
- Give blood – https://southtexasblood.org/harvey
- Help animals
- San Antonio Humane Society – https://sahumane.org/
- Houston Humane Society – http://www.houstonhumane.org/
- Houston Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals – http://www.houstonspca.org/
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SUCH a good post, Charlene. There ought to be a whole lot less announcement of prayers in ratio to actual prayers…and there should be plenty of actual ACTION in any difficult situation. Another verse comes to mind: "If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?" James 2:15-16
Exactly! Yes we should pray. But we should also help clothe and feed our fellow people in need. We should be the "hands and feet of Jesus" as so many Christians phrase it. We should be used in the miracles we're praying for!