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.
Dear God, fill us with love and compassion, so that we may see others as you see them. Open our hearts now, as we talk and pray together, and make us into the people you want us to be. In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.
Listen: Pay close attention as the Bible story is read in the form of a rhyme.
There once was a Samaritan
(Who was a fair and decent man),
And as he walked along the road
He saw an injured man, and slowed.
Then taking bandages and oil
He washed his cuts; cleaned out the soil.
He helped the man, and carried him
Along the road and to an inn.
While usually they would not meet
One helped the other on that street.
And in that act, the hurt man knew
He had a neighbor, good and true.
Engage: Talk about the Bible by having parents respond to children’s questions.
Child: Are there groups of people that we usually would not meet in our neighborhood? Who are they?
Child: What do all people have in common, even if their skin color, beliefs, or backgrounds are different?
Affirm: Pray for God to put his Word into action in your daily life.
Holy God, sometimes we let differences keep us apart from other people. Teach us how to reach out and treat people lovingly even if they have other traditions or ways of life. Show us how to share our faith with them. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Have each person in the family bless one another with these words.
May you see your neighbors as fellow children of God! Amen.