The foundation of helping others move “one step forward” is laid with prayer.

The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. (James 5:16 ) Especially when we combine our prayers with the word of God! The living and active word of God that does not  return void but accomplishes what it is set out to do!

Praying for others gets our focus off ourselves and onto the needs around us. Praying for others also builds me up and benefits me.

When I first met Kyle and we started dating and getting to know each other, he made a comment several times that came across to me as odd to me. He said to me one day “I just love people” as if to explain himself. He said it just like someone would say “I just love black licorice” You have to really love black licorice to say that….because I think amongst most people there is an understanding that black licorice is not lovable...at all. So I knew he wasn’t just saying this to impress me because that’s not really a line you use when trying to impress girls.

The first time he said it I thought “Weird….I don’t know that I’ve ever actually thought that before? That I just love people” The second time he mentioned it I thought “Really? You love people? Like these people? The same people I know? Maybe he knows a different and more loveable kind of people than I do? Who just says they love people”

The most significant time I recall him making this comment was when Kyle had gone out of his way to help another person. I commented on what I witnessed and his reply was “ I just love people” I was really challenged in that moment. I so clearly saw the heart of Jesus in Kyle that day. I saw the same love and compassion of Jesus. Kyle could see past someone's bad day, shy attitude, or even total rudeness and respond in kindness and compassion because he knew there was more going on.

I was so challenged by watching his loving and thoughtful approach towards others. Previously, I couldn’t see the pain or turmoil others were in because it was masked in anger, pride, or even apathy at times. Where I would often dismiss someone or complain about them because of an interaction I was now challenged to look deeper. I was challenged to have the same love and compassion toward that person like Jesus.

In Luke 19:41-44 Jesus wept over Jerusalem as he overlooked the city. There is a lot to unpack here, but he wept that they did not realize their savior had come! If anyone had a right to be upset or say “forget you Jerusalem” it’s Jesus! They rejected him! But instead he wept FOR them. The Lord desires that no-one should perish but everyone come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9) He desires that we know him fully and grow in our knowledge of Him. Our hearts should be moved with compassion for others just like Jesus.

The most effective way for us to reflect Jesus more and to respond to others with love and compassion is for our hearts to be transformed and renewed by God’s word! As we pray scriptures over other believers our relationships deepen as our compassion and love for others does as well!

My love for others grows as I pray for them.

Here are just a few of the many great verses you can pray over others this week!