I once said that I do not pray for the poor, asking God to give them food, and someone corrected me.

“Our Father who art in Heaven, hallowed be Your name; Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven…” (Matthew 6:9–15).
You may have prayed this prayer before, and perhaps you still use it today. Do you remember how some denominations accuse others of repeating the same prayers without change? I also used to criticize churches that recite fixed prayers—until I examined myself and found that I too, along with others around me, often use repetitive prayers, especially when thanking God for food or other blessings. I realized that the very things we blame others for are often the same things we also do—only that no one has pointed it out to us yet. (I write this as my personal reflection.)

On August 31, 2024, at around 10:30 PM, I had the privilege of speaking with a group of university students in Rwanda. During our discussion, I said:
“I never pray for the poor asking God to give them food. Instead, I pray that God gives me a heart that shares what I have with them, because the best way to help a hungry person is not only to pray for them but also to feed them when you have the means.”

When we ended the session, one of the students approached me. She said my words were good and touched her heart, but she corrected me gently by saying that what God has revealed to me personally is meant to guide my own life. It can inspire others, yes, but it should not be imposed as a rule for everyone.

I realized she meant that my choice not to pray for the poor, but to share with them instead, does not mean those who pray for the poor are wrong. Her words stayed with me, and the more I reflected on them, the more I saw the wisdom in them. I understood that doing both—praying and giving—is important, because some people truly need prayer for doors to open and others to help them, especially in times when I may not personally have the means to give.

Conclusion

I have been in gatherings of believers where confusion arises because when someone receives a personal message or instruction from God, they present it to everyone else as something all believers must do—forgetting that the message was given to them individually.

My brothers and sisters, I write this not just to recount what happened, but to remind you that what God gives us personally should be lived out as we received it. We may share it to inspire others, but it should not become a rule that everyone must follow.

I fear that some Christian gatherings are teaching believers to imitate their leaders instead of imitating Christ. But I say this as my personal reflection, not as a command. I would want everyone to be like me, yes, but each person has their own gift from God—one has this gift, another has that one (1 Corinthians 7:6–7). “There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit” (1 Corinthians 12:4). Therefore, as each person has received a gift, let them use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace (1 Peter 4:10).