SO much more than a LAST RESORT

In this big world there are times that, little me, I feel helpless and without any means of purpose. Not in my own individual life but in the bigger picture of the world. I felt particularly helpless this past two weeks as I watch the disaster that struck Haiti. Ever know you are supposed to do something but know that anything you had to offer was of little to no use? I know that like anyone else who watches helplessly I can pray. But all I can do is pray.. Just pray cause otherwise I could go insane wishing I could do something more.
Then God and a friend reminded me. Prayer should be my first response not my last resort. Prayer even if it ends up being the only thing I could do is the most powerful action I can make.
James 5:17 "The earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Alfred, Lord Tennyson said, "More things are wrought by prayer than this world dreams of."
I can always be reminded that prayer is my first line of defense. Prayer is called powerful and effective, which let us be honest, is more than what results from our best effort actions at most times. Prayer stirs the heart of God who hasn't turned away once from the cries rising from Haiti. Prayer is our mere human effort to reach out to the divine. This is no excuse, this is the belief that prayer is not a waste of time and that prayer is indeed POWERFUL and EFFECTIVE. The belief that the power of God can do more than I can dream of. Do you realize that your prayers, though they may never have the answer spelled out, can be answered in ways you do not see or understand. Prayers are never forgotten. If we saw everything wrought by our prayers, I believe we would never stop praying. I believe our prayers keep things from happening that we will never know about. You don't have to feel like all else has failed to pray. Prayer is so much more than a last resort.

Something like Compassion

Matthew 14:14 "When Jesus landed and saw a large crowd, he had compassion on them and healed their sick."
Matthew 15:32 "Jesus called his disciples to him and said, "I have compassion for these people; they have already been with me three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, or they may collapse on the way."
Matthew 20:34 "Jesus had compassion on them and touched their eyes. Immediately they received their sight and followed him."

Jesus was moved with compassion for peoples needs. This moving was a movement to act, and movement to change their circumstances. It had nothing to do with him, it was all about them, the people, any people, ALL PEOPLE. He didn't say Thank God, I'm not blind, he healed the blind men. He didn't say glad I am not hungry, too bad those people didn't bring their lunches. He fed them. Because HE WAS MOVED WITH COMPASSION. Let's follow our greatest example and let God move us with compassion for other rather than continue to focus on our selves. Their are thousands of people crying for help and in mourning tonight in Haiti. Let God move your heart to compassion. Compassion to act. Give, you have more than they can dream of. Go, if you are capable of going. Spend a night with less sleep to cry over the pain God is feeling in his heart for His suffering people. Learn to pray, learn to seek God, and you will learn compassion. God's heart is overflowing with it, with pain, with love, with longing...
Compassion is a burden only God truly knows. Seek the heart of God so you can learn SOMETHING LIKE COMPASSION.