Prayer Ministry & Compassion: Feeling the Pain of Others

We like power – power impresses and dominates. Compassion takes every vestige of power that we can access in the Kingdom economy and uses it to alleviate the pain of others. Our own wants or desires only come into the equation through how we can reach out to help others. 

Matthew 9:35-10:15 tells the story of the First Commission of the disciples. One of the motives of Jesus for sending out the disciples was that he “… was filled with compassion” (9:36a). The desire to heal, free, and save was stirred by compassion for the crowd’s distress, depression, and anxiety. 

Jesus called his disciples, gave them authority to drive out evil spirits, to heal, to raise the dead, and sent them out (Matt 10:1-15). Calling, authority, and compassion are bundled together – a formula for Kingdom ministry. Called by Jesus, authority to do ministry in power, and compassion to minister for the benefit of others. This is the Jesus we serve. 

Several years ago, I ran into a man who was recently baptized in our church. He was drunk, I was tired. He needed help and I couldn’t turn away. The church service had ended and concerned relatives brought him to talk with me so we sat down together on the edge of veranda. I asked a few prompting questions and he responded haltingly. He began to weep and side by side we looked out into the darkness. He smelled of stale sweat and cheap alcohol but compassion prompted me to put my arm across his shoulder. The words that had been caught in his throat came pouring out in an unbroken stream and pulled back the curtain of his life. When his words finally wound down, I prayed with him and we parted ways. It was the last time he drank alcohol. The Spirit used the power of compassionate prayer to heal. 

Thinking about where calling and compassion intersect in your life. Where is Jesus inviting you to make a difference today?