Praying to God or Government?

From CQ

God will be asked this Sunday to weigh in on the state children’s health insurance program, as members of various faith groups are encouraged to pray for an override of President Bush’s veto of the measure.

The call to prayer by the PICO National Network of religious organizations is aimed at generating at least 10,000 calls to 35 targeted members of Congress who voted against the bill (HR 976) but might still be convinced to support an override attempt Oct. 18.

I'm wondering if they'll be praying for God to provide for those who are truly needy, or if they'll be praying for government to provide for those who are needy?

See, normally people of faith ask GOD to help them, not government...unless government IS their god.

And if people are unable to meet their own needs through what God provides for them, the next step in God's plan is not for government to help, but other people:


If one of your countrymen becomes poor and sells some of his property, his nearest relative is to come and redeem what his countryman has sold. (Leviticus 25:25)

If a man will not work, he shall not eat. (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

These should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family (1 Timothy 5:4)

As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list…they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house (1 Timothy 5:13)

If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need. (1 Timothy 5:16)


So is it God or government they should be praying to? Is it welfare or people who are to help one another? I think PICO is barking up the wrong tree if they're looking for God...unless government is their god.

Besides, can you really say that someone making $83,000 a year, or nearly $40 an hour, is "needy?"