Actions Speak Louder than Prayer

Flicking through a trashy gossip magazine this morning (don’t ask; no; I didn’t buy it) brought me to a story about Mother Theresa. Apparently, and this all comes to light in a new book about her, based primarily on letters she sent to fellow ministers and confidents. Apparently, or so the book says, she’d spent the last 50 years of her life with “an absence of god in my heart”.

Seeing as many of the most well know pictures of Mother Theresa capture her in serene prayer, this seems a startling revelation; a contradiction even. What really leapt out of the page at me though, while taking in an almost full page spread of her kneeling in prayer in a room empty but for a statue of Christ on the opposite wall, was that the fact that Mother Theresa prayed often hardly defines what she did in life. Her prayers, any of our prayers for that matter, mean jack if we don’t follow through with action. “Her prayers, her communion with God, gave her guidance” you might say. That’s great, but if we spend all of our time “being, or looking for guidance”, what do we actually get done?

Mother Theresa should be remembered for the same reason all true heroes and heroines should be remembered; she took action. More importantly, she took action; she pursued what she knew in heart was the right thing to do, when she didn’t really have to. She could have just stayed at home in Macedonia, praying long distance for the poor, sick and dying of Calcutta…

Comments

[Maithri]

Dear Warren,

Just wanted to let you know that you're my hero and my inspiration.

Thank you for all the light you bring to the world,

Love and Light,

Maithri

[Julia Watson]

That makes me sad to think that Mother Theresa felt disconnected from Source for all that time. And yet so amazing that she stayed the course working at the orphanage in India.

I certainly have had the experience on a more minor scale of making a tough decision when in a place of deep spiritual flow and then later, when implementing that decision, have a million doubts about it. But I could tune back into that moment when my path was clear and I knew enough to trust that earlier time of clarity more than the current moment of doubt and insecurity. And complete the action anyway.

I wonder if that was how it was for Mother T. She may have known where to serve and take action and even though it didn't feel good in all the million moments after the course was set, she knew it was the action of integrity and to trust her earlier wisdom.

[Chantell]

This was a "good read" Warren. I just saw your story today on the Discovery Channel- "I Shouldn't Be Alive". I'm most impressed with your "Will" to Survive the Odds and your friend who stayed faithful in seeking rescue for you. You both showed tremendous "Will" and zeal to survive. After the show, I wrote down your name and looked you up online. I'm so thrilled to see that you have kept on and are motivating others to overcome what some may see as 'adversity'... but in itself, you have grown as a man and serve the Purpose you have been placed on this Earth to fulfill! I read your Blog regarding the story about Mother Theresa; and your comments are on the mark. "Faith without works is dead", as quoted from the Bible. I am a Sr. High Youth Leader and also give the message to my students that we are all here to fulfill our Purpose... and if we don't put action (works) behind what we are praying for, we won't succeed. Each individual has been given a gift and to not use it is such a loss. Yes, we seek God's guidance, but doing nothing besides pray, is not what God requires of us.
You are an inspiration and I feel Blessed to have come across you and your story today. If we don't use what has hurt us (in any aspect)to help others and improve our lives and those we come in contact with is a dis-service to our fellow man.

Be Blessed Warren!
Truly,
Chantell