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The Power of Compassion
By Bunny | November 6, 2009
Compassion is a sympathetic consciousness of others’ distress together with a desire to alleviate it. Our God is a Father of compassion. He had so much compassion for our suffering that He sent His one and only Son to die for us. Do you share God’s compassion? Do you realize that Jesus Christ wants to express through you what the Father expressed through Him, bringing love and hope to a hurting world? We, God’s people, are to be clothed with compassion. (Colossians 3:12) What are you wearing today?
Some of us, when our tender hearts see the troubles of others, may think we are too far away or too powerless to help. But that is so untrue. Our prayers are full of heavenly power. They transcend time and space. We can be on our knees in our living rooms and reach our president in the White House, a homeless person on a city street, children starving in North Korea, missionaries in South America, or a sick family member in California. With the power of compassion combined with prayer, we can make a difference. I can’t touch everyone physically, but I can touch everyone prayerfully ? And you can do the same. The power of compassion, that love for people that God has placed in our heart, can do such miraculous things that we can not comprehend.
Praying to make a difference is unselfish praying and in all likelihood, is going to cost us something. It’s probably going to make us uncomfortable and take us to places — spiritually and geographically — where we wouldn’t dare go unless God had birthed it in our hearts. Praying to make a difference in this world means we learn to get past ourselves and our problems and pursue a greater purpose. Nehemiah was an unselfish man of prayer who looked beyond himself and his needs. His example shows us what we need to do to be powerful intercessors for this world. Like Nehemiah, we need to find out what is happening outside the sphere of me, myself and I. When Nehemiah met Hanani, one of his brothers who had come from Judah, Nehemiah asked for news of the Jews in Jerusalem. It was then that he found out the specifics of the desperate situation, how the wall of Jerusalem was broken down, leaving the Jews defenseless against their enemies.
As soon as he heard of their situation, Nehemiah sat down and wept. He felt compassion and his heart mourned. The Bible says he fasted and prayed, asking God to hear him, remember His promises to His people, and give him success. A few months later Nehemiah went to King Artaxerxes, and with one look of his face, which revealed sadness of heart, the king inquired as to Nehemiah’s troubles, asking what he could do for him. Here Nehemiah took direct action as he reached out to another. Through their conversation they were able to assess the situation in Jerusalem and ultimately, rebuild the wall.
Nehemiah was filled with faith, telling those who later ridiculed the rebuilding, “The God of heaven will give us success.” (Neh. 2:20)
What walls can you help rebuild? What needs do you see around you in your coworkers lives? Around your family, your neighbors? Is God prompting you to pray for them or go and speak an encouraging word of hope to them? When you hear of distress in someone life and your heart responds with compassion, make a difference. Do something. If so led, take direct action by doing whatever He tells you to do and always begin and end the situation with prayer. Be filled with confidence that God will work in their situation.
In this world, Jesus says we will have trouble. But we are encouraged to be of good cheer, because He has already gone before us to assure us that we can have the victory. What a good Father. Allow the same compassion that He demonstrates toward us, flow out of you to those that are so desperately in need of it. We are His hands. We are His arms. Watch and listen as He shows you who to demonstrate that compassion on today. You were created to be a blessing. So be one.
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