Growing a heart of compassion starts with an openness to God’s transforming love. The parable of the Good Samaritan teaches us that true compassion means noticing those in need around us and acting to relieve their suffering, regardless of inconvenience. When we pray and ask God to cultivate His heart of mercy within us, He makes it possible for us to see the needs of our neighbors and act to meet them.
- Pray for God’s heart of compassion. Only God can truly change our hearts to be more like his.
- Stop and look at those around you. Be attentive to the needs of your neighbors, even the seemingly small ones.
- Don’t hesitate to help when you see a need. Overcome your fears and excuses and step in to provide assistance.
Compassion for those in need starts with opening our hearts to God’s transforming love. When we pray and ask Him to shape our hearts like His, He makes it possible for us to see the needs around us and act to meet them. May we leave here today committed to developing God’s heart of mercy within, seeking first to understand before rushing past those who suffer, and resolutely walking the extra mile to relieve the suffering of our neighbors – for in their pain, we find our own humanity. True compassion moves us beyond comfort, into the messiness of meeting real human need.