USEFUL PRAYER TOOLS: COMPASSION (II)

USEFUL PRAYER TOOLS: COMPASSION (II)

“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” Matthew 9:36 NLTMatthew 9:36 NLTWhen he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.

Compassion is a profound experience that the original text describes as the seat of love and pity that moves one to action.

On multiple occasions we read that Jesus was moved by compassion and healed, moved by compassion and taught, moved by compassion and prayed ‘Father forgive them for they know not what they do’. Our posture in prayer should not be any different. When you are led to pray for someone, and you carry no sense of compassion in that prayer, you labor in the flesh. Luke 6:27Luke 6:27But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.cannot be exercised by a heart that is not driven by compassion.

To be able to stand and pray for your enemy is only effective when you can see a spiritual advantage you may possess over this person which offers you a clarity to see them beyond their shortcoming and intercede without guile.

Child of God, if ever you are to pray and sense no compassion over that which you are aiming to pray for, lay it aside and pray for a compassionate heart least you transgress in ignorance. Nothing makes prayer effectual like its being rooted in compassion. Hallelujah!

Prayer: Father I thank you for this wisdom. Like Paul says, I have exercised my spirit to feel after you before I take on any labor in prayer that may be counted a transgression. I know your word and align my meditations to it before I set matters too great before me, thanks be to the Holy Spirit that teaches us into all wisdom in Jesus’ name. 

CI.