Prayer and Action

I am starting with an interesting story. There was a Cruise ship which was about to sail with hundreds of passengers. The weather was calm and sunny. The passenger were eager and excited and wanted to know why the ship is not moving yet. They soon learnt that the Captain of the ship is on a praying session with his staff. The captain always did that for many years. Some passengers were getting impatient and started criticizing this gesture of the Captain, as to why in such a lovely weather we should not make the most . 

Soon, the ship started and it was so much of fun all the day through. In the late evening, however, the weather got suddenly inclement followed by a turbulent storm in the mid sea. The ship started tilting in dangerous ways. Passengers got really frightened and some of them started praying and soon others suggested that why not approach the captain of the ship so that he could join in the mass prayer and guide all on how to pray to avoid such crisis.

They went to the captain and conveyed their feeling. The captain with his gentle smile said that he had already done his part . He started to sail after the prayer. Now it is the time of action for him and his team. All others can do the prayer if they so wish. How beautifully the captain conveyed that prayer and action have their distinct role in our lives. Prayer is also  not the  best  when it is   loaded with motive and  done as a last resort. What is more, prayer and action work wonderfully if the occassions  for both of them are honoured. Taking  the same analogy to Stephen Covey's First things first principle, it can be said that Q2 (non urgent and important things)  are done by a  wise person as a matter of habit, much before the arrival of a  a crisis. Ironically for some people, Q2 does not deserve any attention till it shakes them well . However,  due to reasons inknown, if  Q1 ( Urgent and Inmportant situation) suddenly announces its arrival it is the time to handle Q1 only with all the focus and energy. When it is fire , it is more important to put off the fire, than to dig a well for getting water. Both Q2 and prayer deserve a special attention during peace time for a steady and blissful sail.