We Know You're Praying. What else? (+ reliable ways to help hurricane victims) | Enduring All Things

Thursday, August 31, 2017

We Know You're Praying. What else? (+ reliable ways to help hurricane victims)

All pictures in this post were taken by either my brother, Tyler Nutt, who is a cameraman for ABC news or his partner and reporter, Stephen Quinn. They have been in southeast Texas since Sunday covering hurricane Harvey and gave me permission to share these photos.
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!
You know what I've noticed in the last week with all that's happening in Texas with hurricane Harvey? A lot of people are praying. And a lot of people are sharing on social media that they are praying.

If I see one more picture on Instagram of the outline of Texas or the Texas flag and the words "Praying for Texas".......

But I'm getting ahead of myself.
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!

Why the "Praying" posts bother me

First of all, I should give some credit to Pearson. While these posts had been bothering me, I couldn't quite get my head around why. Then he mentioned Matthew 6:5-6 and it clicked.

I think we can agree that the devastation and destruction that's going on in Texas is pretty tragic, right? But here's the thing. We all know about it. And guess what else, if you're a Christian with any kind of online presence, I'm pretty sure we know you're a Christian. Hopefully we do. Hopefully you don't keep your faith completely a secret. And if we know you're a Christian, we can infer that you're praying. Right? Am I right in assuming that?

So guess what! You don't have to tell the whole world that you're praying!
"And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward." Matthew 6:5 ESV
Think for a moment about what your true intentions are in telling the world that you're praying for Texas.

Is it to spread the word and awareness that something terrible is happening in our country? Because, as I already mentioned, we all know.

Is it to tell people that you are a Christian and you believe in the power of prayer? Again, as I said, we should already know that. And if you really want to tell people about the power of prayer, show it. Use examples. Encourage others to pray. Write more than "Praying for Texas."

Is it to get attention? To get likes? To toot your own horn? Or to keep up with your virtual neighbor who posted that really cool picture of the Houston skyline with the overlay of the word "Praying" in that unique font? Here lies the problem.

 So yes. Please do pray. Prayer is so powerful. Please hear me when I say that. In fact, prayer is the most powerful thing you can do. But it's easy. It's easy to sit in your comfortable home that's free of water damage and pray. And it's easy to tell the world that you are praying and to feel good about yourself.

And if any of the people shouting from behind their phones and computers that they're "Praying for Texas" are like me (or at least like I have been in the past), they aren't actually praying. Or at least not as much as they want us to believe. I'm sure some of them said a quick prayer "God, please help the people affected by Harvey. Amen", posted on social media that they're praying, and then went on with their lives.

Not everybody who posted did this, I know. But some did, I'm sure.

But I'm getting too far off topic.

My point is, yes prayer is important. Go pray in your room with the door shut. And then go to Houston and help if you can. Send money and supplies. Do something tangible that will help immediately. Love your neighbor. Oh, and you don't have to tell the world that you're doing that either.
"But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you." Matthew 6:6 ESV
The following are pictures of the Coast Guard after flying into Port Arthur to rescue people on their houses.
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!

So here are some great ways to help (not scams):

Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort

Being a member of the Church of Christ, and having worked with this organization before, I know it's reliable. You can donate here.

The American Red Cross

Of course the American Red Cross is reliable. You can donate here.

You also can also text HARVEY to 90999 to donate $10.

Convoy of Hope

Thanks to Candace Payne (aka Chewbacca Mom) for this idea. She's worked with Convoy a lot in the past including a trip to Tanzania with them earlier this year. She trusts them and I trust her. Basically Convoy distributes supplies to disaster survivors and then stick around to help them get situated after the disaster is over. You can donate here.

You can also text CONVOY to 50555 to donate $10.

Texas Diaper Bank

Thanks to Liz Dean (creator of the Instagram Decoded course that I love so much) for this idea. You can donate diapers to the Texas Diaper Bank even if you don't live near there. Just put some diapers in your cart on Amazon and when you checkout, be sure to change the shipping address to:

The Texas Diaper Bank
5415 Bandera Road Suite 504
San Antonio, TX 78238

If you live in Texas:

The following pictures are of a gator farm in Beaumont, Texas. Stephen and Tyler reported on this farm earlier in the week.
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!
Look, prayer is important and powerful, but we can do so much more for the victims of disasters than just sitting in our warm homes and praying. Here are some reliable resources and places to donate to make a difference. Be part of the miracle you're praying for!
So please donate. Do something tangible and helpful. Again, yes praying is very helpful. But do more. Please!

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