There is a story of a group that had gathered together to pray for a family that was having severe financial difficulties. As one of the deacons was offering a fervent prayer for the Lord’s blessings upon this family, there was a knock at the door. The door was opened and there stood a neighbor farmer’s son. One of the elders asked, “Son, what do you want? You have disturbed our praying.”

    The boy replied. “Pa couldn’t come, so I brought his prayers in the wagon.”

    The elder was astonished and asked, “What do you mean?”

    The boy answered, “Well, I’ve brought his prayers; just come out and help me and we’ll bring them in.”

    They all went out to see. On reaching the wagon, they discovered that “Pa’s prayers” consisted of potatoes, flour, beef, oatmeal, turnips, apples, jellies, and clothing—all for the needy family. The prayer meeting was adjourned on short notice.

Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, “Go, I wish you well, keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about his physical needs what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself if is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:15-17)

    We all need to pray. We also need to realize that God often uses us as human instruments to answer prayers as he blesses others. The next time we see someone in need, let’s “pray by the wagon load.”

Alan Garner is the President/CEO of Volunteers of America North Eastern Pennsylvania Affiliate, a good guy, and a Christian living out his faith in service to those in need.

Editor’s Note: For over a decade, we have dedicated several Sundays a year as “Sack Sundays” where we have a time of praise during our worship and people bring sacks of groceries to be shared with those in our church and community who need “prayers by the wagon load.” We generally split the groceries up in thirds: one third to community needs, one third to children’s homes, and one third for our church pantry to help those who come to us with needs. I would love for all our Heartlight Community to challenge their congregations to have three “Sack Sundays” each year. Good times to do it: Two weeks before Easter (for summer and spring), early in September (school related), and the week before Thanksgiving. But the times are not as important as doing it!