Day after day, thousands of Jesus’ followers toil in foreign lands to bring relief and the love of Christ to the severely afflicted and to the poorest of the poor. Through the context of their work, many of these laborers witness brutalities and suffering beyond human comprehension.
In Africa, many people I meet are devoted to coming alongside the “least of these” (Matthew 25:40). They tell me they were moved to action by a pastor or speaker they heard, literature they read, or the lyrics of a song that opened their hearts and minds to the struggles people around the world face.
Upon entering the lands of the oppressed and the impoverished, these laborers testify that they are sustained by private devotion and corporate prayer. Worship music of deep spiritual truth also inspires these compassionate men and women to press on in their efforts to extend God’s justice and provisions to those who suffer. First Corinthians 13:7-8, however, beautifully describes the best motivation of all for serving the needy—love. These verses aptly say, “Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. . . . Love will last forever!”
It’s possible you have heard 1 Corinthians 13 applied only to marriage. Today, consider how you might also apply this verse to loving the destitute. For example, how might you:
• Protect someone who is experiencing a form of abuse?
• Trust God to meet your financial needs when you continue to give generously to the poor?
• Display hope as you spend time with someone who is suffering?
• Persevere in serving even when you’re feeling weary?
• Show love – unfailingly , even to someone whom you find difficult to like?
Prayerfully consider how you might display these forms of love to someone you encounter today.
More:
Now let me show you a way of life that is best of all (1 Corinthians 12:31).
Next:
What will help you remember to pray more frequently for people who need protection from oppressors? How can you show God’s love to someone—friend or stranger—who is experiencing hardship?
Hannah C on March 2, 2011 at 1:12 pm
What will help you remember to pray more frequently for people who need protection from oppressors? Oftentimes, it’s easy to say, “starting today, I will pray for the persecuted and the abused!” However, after a while we tend to forget about it. I believe that a visual reminder would be most effective for us to remember what and who to pray for. Personally, I write down prayer requests at the back of my planner/organizer. I have a special section for that 🙂 I did that so I would not forget what to pray for, because there is the danger of wandering and/or forgetful minds during prayer. There are many ways to remind ourselves, though. You can stick notes on your mirror/wall, you can note it in your computer/phone’s calendar, etc.
How can you show God’s love to someone—friend or stranger—who is experiencing hardship? It doesn’t have to be something big (like donating stuff or being a missionary)! A simple thing like a random smile to a stranger or a sincere hug to a friend will do. I remember one time when I was feeling really sad about something, and a friend treated me to lunch. She didn’t know how I was feeling that day, but her simple gesture made me feel a lot better. We can never change the whole world, but we can do something to one person. Love God first, and then obey His commandment to love others. We love others, because He first loved us.
tom felten on March 2, 2011 at 2:30 pm
Thanks for the excellent, practical ideas, Hannah C! I know that writing down prayer requests and capturing how God answered them has been a great way for me to stay focused in prayer!