desiring compassion in the struggle with selfishness and discontent

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To begin, find a space where you can be still and focus.

Then, follow the prompts below. When you reflect on scripture, feel free to look up a passage of your own or use the verses provided for you. Personalize as you will.

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Thanksgiving: Offer thanks to God. What has He provided for you today? Thank Him for His willingness to sacrifice His only Son for your salvation, to secure your eternal life.

Praise: Heavenly Father, you are the compassionate and kind, abounding in mercy and grace. I praise you for your generosity to me, for your pursuit of me though I am a sinner. I praise you, heavenly Father, for your perfect, relentless love. You alone are good.  

Reflect on Scripture: Psalm 68:4-6 (NIV); Philippians 2:1-11 (ESV)

⁴ Sing to God, sing in praise of his name,
    extol him who rides on the clouds;
    rejoice before him—his name is the Lord.
⁵ A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,
    is God in his holy dwelling.
⁶ God sets the lonely in families,
    he leads out the prisoners with singing;
    but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.

¹So if there is any encouragement in Christ, any comfort from love, any participation in the Spirit, any affection and sympathy, ² complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind. ³ Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. ⁴ Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, ⁶ who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, ⁷ but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. ⁸ And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. ⁹ Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, ¹⁰ so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, ¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

The Lord’s Prayer: Walk through the prompts below, offering God your responses.

Help me submit to you, Father. I pray your will be done in my life and on earth as it is in heaven.

Lord, thank you for your compassion and being mindful of me. Help me turn from selfishness and find contentment in you. As a beneficiary of your divine compassion, help me advocate for the needs of others. Help me notice those in need, and help me honor others more than myself. I cannot do this without you, Lord. I need you.

Father, my flesh is weak. These are the ways I am selfish or discontent: _____________________________.

Thank you that where my flesh is weak, your strength is perfected. You have enough grace for me.  

Today, I have need. Please provide: _____________________________. Thank you for being a good Father who cares for his children and provides all they need.

I confess I am a sinner. Please forgive me for my sin of: _____________________________.

Please help me forgive those who have sinned against me. Lord, because you have forgiven me, help me forgive: _____________________________ for _____________________________. Thank you for forgiving my sins and empowering me to forgive others as you forgive me.

Thank you for delivering me from evil. Today, I ask you to deliver me from _____________________________ for you are _____________________________.

May you be glorified in my life today and forevermore.

Thank you, Jesus, for showing me what it means to be a servant. Thank you for showing dignity to all people, especially the weak and vulnerable. Help me be like you.

Neighbor Prayer: Spend a moment praying on behalf of any neighbors God lays on your heart.

Suggested Neighbor Prayer for: vulnerable people, the elderly

Father, please protect the vulnerable who have no voice, or no one to listen. Send people to help them. Protect women and children, and even men, from abuse. Protect minorities from suffering systemic injustices that even find their way into pandemic care. Protect the poor from being exploited or overlooked. Protect the refugees crowded in camps and anyone in close quarters—those in prisons and nursing homes and factories—from having an outbreak of this virus. Protect the mentally ill and addicted from falling into the clutches of dangerous vices.

Comfort the elderly who are now so vulnerable and so isolated. Give them knowledge of your deep love for them, provide good care for them, and comfort their souls. Help them never doubt the value of their lives.

Give your Church eyes to see those in need and have compassion on them. Help us give generously and serve selflessly in Your name and for Your glory.

Say special prayers for the vulnerable who are not saved, that Jesus would reveal Himself to them and save them.

In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

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If you would like to continue worshiping in song, listen to In His Hands sung by an acapella group from Zimbabwe. God is making us new.