Thursday: Compassion
Pray: Begin by making the sign of the cross and calling upon God’s name.
From God to us, from death to life, from me to you …
in the name of the Father, and of the Son + and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Holy God, the world is filled with people who are longing to hear your world. We ask that you open our eyes to the needs of those around us. Give the compassion to reach out and bless the lives of others, in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Listen: Listen carefully as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.
Paul was preaching one fine day
By the river, by the bay,
When a woman heard his words,
And was changed by what she heard.
“Lydia,” that was her name,
A merchant there of local fame,
She sold lovely, purple things:
Cloth and garments fit for kings.
“Baptize me,” she said, “Please do,
And baptize all my household, too!”
When they were baptized that day,
She asked them to her home to stay!
Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.
Child: Why do you think Lydia was listening to Paul? Why do we listen to our pastors’ preaching?
Child: Was Lydia just concerned about herself and her own faith? What shows you that she cared about others, too?
Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.
Holy God, we thank you for coming into our lives. Help us to be like your servant Paul. Use us to speak your promise and bring hope into the lives of others, by showing the love of Jesus to those we meet. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.
May the Lord open your eyes to see how you can serve others. Amen.