Life as a Prayer by Hope Lyda

Author:Hope Lyda
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9780736961929
Publisher: Harvest House Publishers

Give Freely

I have found that among its other benefits, giving liberates the soul of the giver.

MAYA ANGELOU

Vivid scenes of famine and poverty in distant areas can move us to tears and compel us to send money to a place we’ve never visited and pray for people we’ve never met. These are good impulses. But many of us struggle with compassion in our own circles, our own towns, and our community centers. The close proximity of poverty and pain can make us uncomfortable, even as our hearts ache for the need we see in our immediate vicinities. Spreading love and our resources to the ends of the earth is a good use of our time and priorities, but we cannot do that and still neglect sharing God’s love with those closest to us.

Being a physical representative of Christ’s love for another is a powerful act. When we first reach out to others and touch their shoulders and look them in the eyes and express compassion, we will understand the importance of this personal, intimate connection with God’s children. What does it look like to be Christ’s hands? We are his hands and his heart when we’re serving a meal at a homeless shelter, reading mail to an elderly neighbor, giving someone money without conditions, cooking for a friend who’s ill, holding hands with a person in the hospital, or listening to the needs and life story of a stranger.

This isn’t an easy or comfortable step for a lot of us. It requires a vulnerability that can feel awkward and even painful. Reaching out to another requires us to reach beyond our norm. So we can pray, and we can start by first noticing the hearts and aches of the people in our own homes. Then those of our neighbors. Then we can expand our awareness to the people we cross paths with on our way to work or as we run errands. Giving and loving freely actually frees us and others to change the world with the unconditional love of Christ.

LIFE Reflections

• When you ask to see the needs and hurts of others, you will. Prepare to be prayerful and to draw from God’s compassion.

• Have you wept for the heartache of another? Don’t hold back from empathy. It connects you to the brokenness of others and then back to your own brokenness. Ultimately, it leads you right back to God’s heart.

• Consider ways to be the hands of Christ. Preaching the gospel is for some; living the gospel is for all of us.

• Intention: I won’t turn away from those who are hurting. Instead I will reach out and make a connection.

Prayer

God, where are those needs? I’m ready to see them and respond to them. Even the people closest to me are good at hiding their pain and ignoring their need. Show me how to be vulnerable so they are invited to do the same in my presence and in yours.

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