Blogs - Chief of Pray Blog

“Pray as if everything depends on God, and act as if everything depends on you.”

Does anybody really need to hear statistics about hunger? Should I share a story about just one hungry person? Good marketing technique tells us to make it personal—put a face on what you’re selling. We should also appeal to the analytical type, some folks need data to make buying decisions.

As a volunteer for a non-profit whose mission is to end hunger, I spend a lot of time “selling the anti-hunger movement.” Kind of absurd isn’t it? There’s not too many people around who are pro-hunger. If you could have asked Brittney Murphy about her eating disorder, or Sudanese President Omar al-Bashira about his henchmen high-jacking food aid convoys, neither would agree that hunger is a good thing. And still, with plenty of food to feed every one of the world’s hungry citizens, there are still people who don’t get enough food to sustain them.

Yesterday I was at a One Acre Fund program learning about foodbanking. We were thirty-five people in a room who care deeply about ending world hunger. Bill Rudnick was the speaker. He’s managing partner of the Chicago office at the law firm of DLA Piper LLP (US). Bill is also co-founder of TheGlobal Foodbanking Network, former Chairman of the board of Feeding America and The Greater Chicago Food Depository. This is a man with credentials. But it’s not Bill’s bio that impressed me. And it isn’t even his passion for an important cause. What truly moved me is; I had the opportunity to meet someone who acts as if it’s up to him—and him alone, to make true change happen.

What about the Divine? Where does taking action for social justice fit into one’s spiritual life? As important as prayer is, and as much as I believe in the greatness of a higher power to change hearts and minds, I know with absolute certainty, we are the partner on the ground bringing a better life to those in need. Yes, pray everyday, for all the children of the world to be safe, healthy and free. Then take a stand like Bill; use the gifts you were given to change the conditions that lead to hunger, disease and civil unrest. Prepare your soul and repair the world.

“Pray as if everything depends on God, and act as if everything depends on you.”

Soul of Philanthropy

You have placed within me, my soul.
It gives form to my thoughts creating
my innermost feelings and driving my actions.

I am possessed with goodness and remarkable power.
Committed to: doing deeds of loving kindness,
speaking out for justice, sharing my money with those in need.
I am one of this magnificent movement to repair the world.  

-Rachel Lee

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