Listen Christian

[altya]

I was hungry,
and you formed a humanities club
and discussed my hunger.
Thank you.

I was imprisoned
and you crept off quietly
to your chapel in the cellar
and prayed for my release.

I was naked
and in your mind
you debated the morality of
my appearance.

I was sick
and you knelt
and thanked God
for your health.

I was homeless
and you preached to me
about the spiritual shelter
of the love of God.

I was lonely
and you left me alone
to pray for me.

Christian,
you seem so holy;
so close to God.
But I am still very hungry,
and lonely,
and cold...


by Bob Rowland

 

[HesMyAll]

Isaiah 58:6-8  Is not this the fast that I have chosen?  to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, and to let the oppressed go free, and that ye break every yoke?

Is is not to deal thy bread to the hungry, and that thou bring the poor that are cast out to thy house?  when thou seest the naked, that thou cover him; and that thou hide not thyself from thine own flesh?

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedily: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the Lord shall be thy rereward.

 

[altya]

This poem was an eye opener to me – I use to pray for people in need of food, in fact I prayed over every problem anyone may have. Well, God spoke to me and said “Prayer is good, it’s laying the foundation, but what about to become an answer to a prayer”

This put me into meditation and I saw something in:-

Mat 25:35 I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat. I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger, and you took me into your home.

I saw in this verse that the need is met every time and this is great. What God want from us is to care about each other.

Don't get me wrong - PRAYER IS VERY IMPORTANT - but after prayer we can do more.


Mat 25:36 I needed clothes, and you gave me something to wear. I was sick, and you took care of me. I was in prison, and you visited me.'
Mat 25:37 "Then the people who have God's approval will reply to him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you or see you thirsty and give you something to drink?
Mat 25:38 When did we see you as a stranger and take you into our homes or see you in need of clothes and give you something to wear?
Mat 25:39 When did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?'
Mat 25:40 "The king will answer them, 'I can guarantee this truth: Whatever you did for one of my brothers or sisters, no matter how unimportant they seemed, you did for me.'
Mat 25:41 "Then the king will say to those on his left, 'Get away from me! God has cursed you! Go into everlasting fire that was prepared for the devil and his angels!

 

[seebs]

I would say that doing these things *is* prayer. Not all prayer is words. Just as dance may be poetry in motion, so too can charity be prayer in action. I have found that, when my friends are sick, if I visit them and bring them groceries, they don't get well any faster than if I sit around praying for them, but it *feels* faster, for both of us.

 

[JillLars]

This poem gave me goosebumps. I often feel that there is more I can do...but I don't know where to start. I will have to do some brainstorming and find some ways to help! Thank you for posting that poem.

 

[Sharky]

Excellent poem.

Be doers, not just prayers. We often walk past a beggar on the streets knowing that we could offer him something that could change his whole life. Prayers are important. But what good can it do if you're just praying and not doing?

If someone was about to die and you can easily save his/her life by interveining but instead you just pray, it does no good. That person needs help, not just prayers.

It can be hard for us to do something. We walk past someone laying in the streets giving him pity and sympathy when really all he needed was you to just talk with him and get him up for a new job or something. Even lead him to Christ and make a big change in his life.

Remember did Jesus pray for someone on the streets? Nope, Jesus walked up and helped them. Jesus did what was needed. We can too . Take the challenge. Next time you see someoen in need, take some time off to show some compassion and stick with him. His attitude might stink, he's probably on drugs and drunk, maybe even suicidal but take just that challenge to force out your faith, spend some time and try to help him on his feet. Obviously use common sense and wisdom. But that person is going to be living the same life tomorrow over and over unless we do something.

 

[Memory's Flame]

WoW!

I think that's all I can honestly say!

 

[Gerry]

This poem should open our eyes to many things! Not only what God would have us to do, but also this poem should make it easy for anyone to identify those who are purveyors of heresey. Those who study and quote from high sounding books, written by "intellectuals", to prove that God did not mean what He wrote, but rather meant something far different and indeed quite the opposite. This poem seems to be written as a platform for their "superior" party. May those of us who follow Christ see through their message, and be obedient to the Words and commands of Christ found in the Gospels as they are written.

 

[Gerry]

This poem should open our eyes to many things! Not only what God would have us to do, but also this poem should make it easy for anyone to identify those who are purveyors of heresey. Those who study and quote from high sounding books, written by "intellectuals", to prove that God did not mean what He wrote, but rather meant something far different and indeed quite the opposite. This poem seems to be written as a platform for their "superior" party. May those of us who follow Christ see through their message, and be obedient to the Words and commands of Christ found in the Gospels as they are written.

 

[reeann]

Wow, I agree, and how convicting.

 

[GraftMeIn]

That poem certainly touches the heart and brings this scripture to mind also.

Luke 11:42
But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.

 

[Kirisutokyoo-shinja]

Thanks for posting this.

 

[ukok]

if not for the crash, i might never have read that peom, belated thankyou's on there way to you Altya.

 

[OracleX]

Dito what ukok said