Prayer in Action
A familiar passage in James states: “Faith without works is dead.” I have come to realize that this is true both individually and corporately. I believe that Christianity is fundamentally about relationships: relationships with God and relationships with people.
The ministry of Jesus was rich in acts of service to both His disciples and to the community. His first recorded act of service was transforming water into wine as a demonstration of God’s abundance to the guests of the wedding in Cana. This ministry of service continued as He healed the sick, fed the multitudes and culminated with His ultimate act of service — His sacrifice on the cross.
Most of us will never be required to make that kind of sacrifice, but we can emulate Jesus’ ministry by helping our friends and neighbors. If we truly believe that God is generous and loving, we should demonstrate that generosity and love as individuals and as the church. The Grace community has taken that path with the ministries we’ve adopted.
When I sit back in the sound booth and hear about Grace4Tanzania, Feed My Starving Children, the May All Be Fed food pantry, Family Table Meal, Vacation Bible School, and the many other ways we serve, I realize that Grace is taking seriously its responsibility to serve those both in and outside of our congregation. I have been blessed to witness first hand the energy these ministries have fostered in the members of Grace.
When serving at the Family Table Meal, I have seen the enthusiasm and genuine care that the volunteers show for the guests that come. One night our high school youth served. During the meal these young adults displayed genuine hospitality and care for our guests in the way they served the meal and, most importantly, when they sat down to eat and visit with the guests.
There were no singular moments, no sudden revelations; just people serving people with an attitude of grace, humility and acceptance that permeated the air. This example shows that, at its best, serving is prayer in motion. It asks God to use us as a conduit to communicate His blessings to His creation with humility and grace.
This, to me, symbolizes a living and growing faith – a faith where the good news is spread by both Word and deed.
Submitted by Jeff Burrell