Pray with your legs

“I prayed for twenty years but received no answer until I prayed with my legs.” — Frederick Douglass

Okay – I referenced this quotation last week and it continues to prompt a whole lot of questions from you, our readers. People want to know what that means, and furthermore, can I find scripture to support whatever it means.

Yes, I see far too many people who are “praying” for solutions and answers – and simply living in that prayerful mode – hands folded and eyes closed, waiting on God to supernaturally give them the specific answer that will remove their challenge. So, just how does God answer our prayers?

Imagine any of these situations with me:

• You really need a job
• You’d like a better car
• You want to make peace with your spouse
• Your lawn mower is broken
• You want to have a best-selling book
• You would like to have a college degree
• You want to be a more effective parent
• You must have $5,000 for a new air conditioning unit

I believe God is the providential supplier of everything we need. But I also believe that his delivery system requires our active participation – “praying with our legs.” If you need a job identify 30-40 target companies; contact them each three times and God will provide a job. If you want a best-selling book write something of value then be willing to persist through the rejection of 14 publishers as Max Lucado did with his first book (his books have now sold over 30 million copies.) – and watch God open doors. If you want a college degree explore six options for doing so that are possible even while you continue working. Block out 2 hours a day for focused study and see God allow that degree to be yours.

And can I find scripture to support faith and prayer that involve our legs? Oh yeah. My favorite is in Exodus 14:15. Moses is dealing with those whining, complaining children of Israel who see the Egyptians coming after them in the desert. I can just see them on their knees, praying and begging God to solve their problems. And the verse says – “Then the Lord said to Moses, ‘Quit praying and get the people moving! Forward, march!’” (Living Bible)

God provides food for the birds – but he doesn’t just show up and throw it in their nest. Sometimes the exercise of faith we need most may be to engage our spiritual quadriceps, stretch those hamstrings and use our gluteus maximus for something other than supporting our head while we pray.

Give me $80,000 salary and I’ll catch lunch

I just read in our local paper that a high school senior, right here in my home town of Franklin, TN, just received a fishing scholarship to attend Bethel University in McKenzie, Tennessee.  The fishing team coach, Garry Mason, says they wanted to be the first college in America to offer fishing scholarships.  He says they are looking for young ladies to be on the team as well.

On what appears to be a related note, collegegrad.com reports that 80% of the 2009 college graduates moved back in with their parents upon graduating last year – most without jobs of any kind.

“Many factors are responsible for the trend of recent graduates moving back in with their parents,” says Adeola Ogunwole, CollegeGrad.com Director of Marketing and PR. “The economy is tough right now. Every year, living independently becomes more expensive and entry level jobs become more competitive.”

Another factor, said Ogunwole, is that “Gen Y” students–born in the 1980s and 1990s–tend to have close ties with their parents, depend on them for support and guidance, and feel no stigma at moving back home after graduation.

At Center College in Danville, KY you can get college credit for their course in the Art of Walking.  At Alfred University in New York you might want to enroll in Maple Syrup, the class that looks into the profession of making maple syrup.   And if you’re looking for a grant to help with those college expenses, check these out:

• The Sammy Award: $7,500 is awarded to students who demonstrate academic success and leadership skills and can wear a milk moustache.

• Chick and Sophie Major Memorial Duck Calling Contest: $1,500 is awarded to the student who can call ducks with the most flair.

“Many recent graduates are turning down good job offers, holding out for better jobs and salaries in the belief that a college degree entitles them to more than entry level,” says Ogunwole.

Or maybe it’s because they got degrees in “university studies,” political science, Biblical literature, mass communications, American history, maple syrup, the art of walking, or fishing.