Kindness

As God’s sons and daughters, He calls us to be friendly, generous, and considerate. He calls us to be kind. In our judgment, we often find kindness to be earned, and we forget that God freely gave us undeserved kindness through Christ’s death on the cross.   

Let’s begin ABIDE by lifting prayers of praise and thanksgiving to Jesus for how our lives are forever changed because of Him. 

Prayers of Thankfulness 

Yet God, with undeserved kindness, declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty of our sins.  (Romans 3:24)

Prayer:  Father God, you are kind. You, alone, are our ___________________ (Name the attribute of God you’re most thankful for today). Thank you for showing us undeserved kindness. Father, we could never repay you, and yet we continually turn away from you as we consciously indulge the desires of our flesh. Even still, your kindness meets our brokenness and covers our guilt and shame. I praise you for extending this means of grace in my life. Thank you for revealing to us, through how you care for us, the kindness that dwells within our souls as believers. 

Prayers for our Hearts  

Let love be without hypocrisy. Detest evil; cling to what is good. Love one another deeply as brothers and sisters. Take the lead in honoring one another. (Romans 12:9-10)

Prayer: Holy Spirit, our hearts come today ______________________ (name the state of your heart). Kindness can seem at times to be _____________________ . (how can the need for kindness feel at times?) Your Word calls us to show authentic kindness and truly love one another. Fill our hearts with your kindness as we show genuine affection for each other and take delight in honoring one another. Holy Spirit, fill us up. Fill us up with your abundant kindness.  

Prayer for Others 

But when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for mankind appeared, he saved us – not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy – through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit. (Titus 3:4)  

Prayer: God, we have always been at your mercy, and never have you let us perish in our circumstances. Your kindness appeared as a bright light, forcing out the darkness of sin and forever uniting our lives to you. May those around us see your kindness through how generously we extend kindness? May we show kindness toward others even when it does not make sense. Father God, ignite a kindness revolution in our communities as we consider the needs of others, care for others as friends, and give generously beyond what is comfortable for us. Father, we give you __________________ (name non-believers in your life).  We ask that they would see You through the kindness that exists around them.  

Closing  

Within our own ability, we may at times continue to struggle in our limitation of giving kindness generously. Thankfully, through God’s grace, we can seek Him as our Provider to fill us with all we need to love those around us in such a way that brings them closer to God. 

Closing Prayer:  Father God, thank you for bearing the burden of being everything for all people. Thank you for pouring yourself out with such compassion and removing the pressure we feel to provide everything people need. May your unfailing kindness flow generously through us. In Jesus’ name, amen.