By Humberto Tinsman, emerging generations specialist
Now, behold, my brethren, I say to you, Do not suppose that this is all; for after you have done all these things, if you turn away the needy and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart not of your substance if you have, to those who stand in need, 224behold, your prayer is vain, and avails you nothing, and you are as hypocrites who deny the faith.
In my culture, the most honorable thing a person could aspire to was becoming a servant. I grew up with gospel stories of Jesus feeding the 5,000 and washing his disciples’ feet. Giving wasn’t just sacrifice; it was joy. In my Latin American heritage, I was taught that hard work and faith were the foundations of life. Everything else could be taken, but not your work ethic or your relationship with God.
Living in the United States, my parents made sure my sister and I still understood poverty. I remember visiting family in Reynosa, Mexico, playing with cousins, but also seeing kids my age living in deep need. I asked my mom what we could do. She told me to pray for them. But I wondered: What good is prayer if it doesn’t feed or clothe?
Back home in Missouri, we were late for church one Sunday. After the service, a new family asked my dad, the pastor, if we could help them buy groceries. My dad didn’t have cash but offered to go with them. I tagged along. At the store, he was normally so frugal, but he said yes to everything they needed. I was stunned. Suddenly, it all made sense.
When we got in the car, he asked, “Do you know why we did that?”
“Yes,” I said. “Because it was the right thing to do.”
That experience taught me that prayer isn’t separate from action. Generosity flows from our connection to Christ. It’s not just about money; it’s about sharing ourselves.
So let us give. Let us be the living good news. While the world tells us to look out for ourselves, let us show what it means to be a Community of Christ.
Prayer Phrase
“…we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).
Weeding the Garden
Inner transformation can take place among daily leisure and work. Try cultivating the spiritual discipline of grace and acceptance while weeding the garden. As you pull each weed, offer a short prayer. Tug. (God remove from my heart all prejudice and fear.) Tug again. (God, keep me from judging others.) As you remove the weeds, continue praying. (Plant in my heart the seeds of your love.) If you don’t have a garden, try this transforming prayer while engaging in repetitive tasks or work today (cleaning out a closet, washing dishes, cleaning the floors, mowing the lawn).
Today’s Prayer for Peace
Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.