Verse of the Day - 1 Timothy 2:1

I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. As you make your requests, plead for God's mercy upon them, and give thanks.
~ 1 Timothy 2:1 (NLT)

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

One of my friends recently attended a Hindu funeral of a beloved co-worker. The funeral home was literally packed with friends and family, and my friend was very sad at everyone's loss, including her own. But what saddened her so deeply was the loud wailing of the man's family, especially his wife. Perhaps in Hindu culture, this outward grieving is normal, but my friend was unaccustomed to it. It just broke her heart. And she just prayed, Lord, please comfort them!

God bless my friend for reaching out to God, the One she knows as the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, to help people who don't even know Him! Although God was mentioned in the service, the Hindu faith does not embrace the God of the Bible. And yet, that did not stop my friend from praying for them. That is love for the hurting, unbridled.

I think sometimes Christ followers can get the idea that if someone doesn't believe in God, why should we pray for them when they're struggling? As if to think that unless they're praying the "salvation prayer", no other prayers are worthwhile or valid. But if it is your natural inclination to seek God when your heart is broken over a believer's struggles, should it not also send you to your knees for an unbeliever's struggles? If compassion flows for one, should it not also flow for the other? Or do we dole out compassion only for those who think and believe like we do?

If the barista at the local Starbucks lets you in on her life and tells you that she's pregnant and her deadbeat (her words) boyfriend beat her up and left, do you preface your compassion with "are you a Christian?" first, before you love her and pray for God to give her comfort and direction?

I think two things are vital here: 1) that believers in Jesus have a compassion for all people that crosses all boundaries, and 2) that we pray for them sincerely and let them know we're praying for them. When our heart is right toward people and we seek God on their behalf, we are completely in line with Jesus' heart and purpose.

Soon afterward Jesus went with his disciples to the village of Nain, and a large crowd followed him. A funeral procession was coming out as he approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her. When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. “Don’t cry!” he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. “Young man,” he said, “I tell you, get up.” Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother. ~ Luke 7:11-15 (NLT)

Please don't forget people, because that is Jesus' number one priority. Listen when people talk and pick up on the markers of fear, loneliness, and pain. Let your heart be broken for them, as they struggle to deal with all the junk in their lives, the junk that we all deal with, at one time or other. Some have faith to believe God, and you can pray with them. Some just don't. But they still need love. And if you are a believer in Jesus Christ, you have real love to give, God's love to give. So give it...freely and lavishly. Pray for them, give a listening ear, and if God prompts you for more, give more. Be a true disciple of Christ.

Love,
Joelene