CONCERT OF PRAYER

Pray Week 704

“Talk is Cheap”

1 Cor 4:20 For the kingdom of God does not consist in talk but in power.

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A person asks “How are you?” and moves on their way without pausing to hear the response. Empty talk. Another person after hearing the woes of a friend says “I will pray for you” then moves on without ever lifting up a word of prayer on their friend’s behalf. More empty talk.

Politicians are known for their many promises which will not be kept and their circuitous response to direct questions. Our idiom ‘Talk is Cheap” refers to the many words spoken about doing something which is never intended to be accomplished. It is much easier to say you will do something than to actually do it.

Let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth. – 1 John 3:18

I recently engaged a customer in conversation in the store where I work. The topic of discussion somehow segued from the item he was seeking to purchase over to the economy. I discerned that he was a Christian by his many references as to how the Lord had provided for him and his family through difficult financial times. He clearly was not ashamed of his relationship with Jesus Christ. We discussed real estate and when I mentioned that I still had a house for sale in another state and that we were trusting God to provide a buyer, without hesitation he reached out and grabbed a hold of my hand, closed his eyes and began to pray aloud a simple, short prayer of intercession to God on my behalf for the sale of our house right there by the rack of two-by-fours.

And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. – Matt 6:7

This man may have been a stranger to me, but he is a brother in the Christ. His words were not many but contained the power of the Lord to encourage and to strengthen me.

The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. – James 5:16

Is your talk cheap and empty or do your words contain the power of God? Do you mean what you say and say what you mean? Are your words in concert with your actions? Do you walk your talk?

It is easy to say “I am a Christian.” It is another matter altogether to live a life openly following Jesus Christ. The power of your words will be found in the measure of the love of Jesus that is poured through you to others. We say that we will die for our faith in Jesus. The question is whether we love Him enough to live for Him today.

I will show you my faith by my works… For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead. – James 2:18-26

We cannot walk the talk in our own human strength and ability. The power for living a life that openly testifies of the power and love of Jesus Christ comes through His abiding presence in our hearts. Make it the priority of your life to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and His presence will empower your talk to be seasoned with the truth, grace, and power of God in action.

Close in prayer, thanksgiving & rededication of your work to the glory of God