I wasn’t going to post this, but then I opened my bulletin in church Sunday morning and there it was – the exact same verse staring at me that God had placed on my heart the day before.

Have y’all seen the meme that has the words thoughts and prayers crossed out, and then under that it says policy and change? When I saw it the first time it kind of made me take a step back. I will be honest – it made me really sad. But then I processed, mulled it over in my mind, and you know what? That meme is absolutely correct. Just SAYING thoughts and prayers will do nothing for our current situation.

Just saying that we will pray – does nothing.

But getting on our knees and actually praying – stretching our hands toward Heaven for our country – it CAN change things.

Yes, we need to do something. Yes, we need change. We need action. All of this is getting downright ridiculous and just sickening. But the change we need to start with are men and women that will pray. Really pray. Determined and intentional. On our knees. Sacrificing our time, our sleep, our show, our “me” time.

I am speaking from past experience, regret, and shame. I used to flippantly throw around the word “praying” without actually following through.

We’ve been studying the book of James on Sunday mornings, and I encourage you to go check it out. Take your faith and do something with it. Show God and everyone else that you are for real. Show people the love that Christ has shown us through acts of love and kindness.

We have to stop just saying these verses. We have to live them.

Don’t give up on America. Don’t give up on people. Don’t give up on God. And don’t just say that you will pray.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14