“Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke. Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the Lord will be your rear guard” (Isaiah 58:6-8).
Our Father, in the Old Testament and New, You have shown that You desire us to interact with and support each other in community. You have instructed us to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).
Father, Your word shows us that You are not interested in empty religious rites and meaningless rituals (Isaiah 1:11-14). Instead, we honor You when we fight against injustice and oppression, when we minister to the poor and needy, the homeless and the displaced (Isaiah 1:17; 58:6-7; Micah 6:8; James 1:27).
Oh God, open our eyes and our hearts to the need around us. Help us to start where we are, following the example of Jesus. Give us a godly love, like the Samaritan in Your teaching—a love that sees need and not differences, a love that sees individuals and not labels, a love that sees souls and not causes.
Thank You for the privilege of being a channel of Your love and grace. And thank You that in Your incredible design You bless and heal the one who ministers as well as the one receiving help. Lord, remind us that in this uncertain world, we can be on either side of that equation at any time. Help us to be willing both to give and to receive with grace and gratitude.
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad;
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing, Out of my life May Jesus shine; Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray, Make me a blessing to someone today.
Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you;
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.
~Make Me a Blessing—Ira B. Wilson (1909)
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