The Lord has been trying to get my attention about an essential part of the Christian walk. Something that I need to grow in and live out daily. I have missed opportunities to see God’s hand at work by neglecting this extraordinary treasure—the gift of prayer.
I had just settled into our Sunday School hour at church, and dear friends were going around the room offering praise and prayer requests when our Sunday School teacher said something about prayer that resonated in my heart:
“When praying (for others), put yourself in the other person’s place.”
Putting yourself in someone else’s shoes is having empathy. Jesus was full of this quality.
“But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd” — Mathew 9:36
The Scriptures often talk of Jesus having compassion for those with needs, both small and significant. From physical hunger to people dying, Jesus knew what people were going through, felt it, and touched their lives.
I can come alongside those who are hurting and pray. God uses our painful experiences and trials to help us develop compassion for those going through similar trials and pain.
These insights on prayer have been stirring my heart to pray; I hope they will be yours this week.
Be Encouraged.
— Chad
