Be Compassionate - Friday Praise & Pray (for others) May 16, 2025

We serve the compassionate God, and it's no surprise that His Son displayed great love. He went from town to town healing people and sharing the good word that grace was available from a loving God. Matthew 9:36-38 - When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Jesus saw people and had compassion for them. He understood their foundational problem - the devil was harassing them, making them helpless. They were bogged down with illnesses in their bodies and minds that kept them from God's promise of fullness of life. And worse, they lacked the knowledge of God's word, which could free them (Hosea 4:6). In addition, their shepherds, religious leaders, and teachers were unfortunately failing to keep adequate watch of them.

The people in question were more religiously zealous than the average current Christian. They frequently attended their synagogues, performed religious rites, fasted, and observed the Sabbath strictly. And yet, Jesus saw harassed and helpless people whose circumstances caused him to have deep compassion for them. He couldn't ignore their plight. He had to take the time to teach them and bring them closer to the Lord.

We are called to emulate our Savior, so we too must have compassion for others. We who know the love of the Father, and the guidance of His Word and Spirit, must understand that no matter the challenges we face, billions are yet to encounter Jesus Christ truly. This includes our fellow churchgoers and family members. We show them compassion by lovingly sharing the good news about God's grace through our deeds and words. Financially supporting the individuals and organizations who do this is another option. We must increasingly intercede for the helpless and suffering, pleading to God to ease their plight. We should also fill more stomachs, clothe the needy, and be the godly voice for the oppressed and voiceless.

It is easy to say we don't have the funds or the time. However, God has an interesting way of filling pockets when the funds will be used for His purposes. And regarding time, we have more time than we realize. We all find time for the things that are a priority, many of which are insignificant when we think about them. We can take time from those activities to express the compassion of Jesus and the love of God to others. When we desire to be more compassionate and loving, the Lord will work on the details and make it possible for us to accomplish this goal. He sent us the Holy Spirit to help us become more pleasing to Him and is therefore responsible for making it happen. All we have to do is let Him have His way in us.

Plus, we must do what the Savior instructed and "Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:38). Thus, we need to pray for more servant field workers to spread His word and free others from bondage through Jesus. Note, we shouldn't be content to leave the heavy lifting to others. Every believer is a Kingdom Ambassador called to make disciples by teaching others about Him and His teachings (Matthew 28:19-20). Therefore, we should be ready to be those the Lord of the harvest will send to do His will in our homes, workplaces, neighborhoods, and around the globe.

The Lord will help us to do more than what we've done by His grace. He will help us to lean on Him for strength and wisdom so we can express godly compassion and love. As the word states in Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. IJMN Amen.

To learn more, please read:

1. To want or to give? That is the question

2. Freely Give

3. Give Generously

4. Topic: Compassion

5. Topic: Love

6. Topic: God's Love

7. Topic: Intercessor & Intercession