This morning my email inbox contained a letter forwarded by a friend, imploring me to pray for the victims of Katrina. I replied to the email address listed on the email as the "prayer circle organizer."

I hope that all your prayerful folk will do more than just talk. Make your prayers mean something: donate to the Red Cross, or to one of the other organizations that are working to save the people trapped in this horrifying situation.

Don't just pray that everything will be okay. Don't just pray that somebody else will help the victims of Katrina. Don't just beg some other force to take care of them.

Pray for the strength to tell your kids that you can't take them to the movies this weekend because you sent that money to help get food and shelter for the children stranded by Katrina. Pray for the self control to give up driving for a while, to help deal with the off-the-wall gas situation. Pray for the strength of character to give up cable TV for the month so you can send an extra $50 down to help the survivors. Instead of praying for a minute and then trotting off to buy a large double-whip double-espresso mocha flip on your way to work, send that coffee money to the people who really need it. The relief efforts aren't going to stop any time soon, so if you haven't got any money to spare right now then think of New Orleans when you get your next paycheck.

Sacrifice more than just a few moments mumbling hopeful words to yourself. Endure a little personal discomfort, give up a few of your luxuries, so that other men, women, and children might have a better chance to survive and rebuild their lives. Give from your heart, and give more than words.

That's the kind of prayer the people of New Orleans will hear.