Lectio Divina: Love and Compassion
Date: April 14, 2025
Scripture: Lamentations 3:22-24

Dana McMahon

Part 1: Inward Focus 

Welcome to today’s epray. I invite you to join me as we pray through and contemplate on scripture. Find a comfortable position and take a few deep breaths before we begin. Heavenly Father, open the eyes of my heart to hear what your word is saying to me today. Our theme for this month is love and compassion. Today, we’ll be reading from Romans 12:14-16. As I read the Scripture, turn your thoughts quietly toward the Lord. 

 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

This passage of scripture reminds us to bless, rejoice and live in harmony with others.

Am I willing to bless those around me, even those who have hurt me?

Pause

Am I able to love and show compassion to others?

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Part 2: Outward Focus

As we reread this passage, ask God to bring to mind the youth that you interact with. How can you stand with them? What does that look like in this situation?

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

What youth are in need of compassion right now? Take a minute to pray for them by name.

Pause

What youth can I rejoice with today? As youth come to mind, ask God to help you think of ways to rejoice with them.

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Part 3: As we end this time together, we close with the Wesleyan Covenant Prayer

I am no longer my own, but yours. 

Put me to what you will, place me with whom you will. 

Put me to doing, put me to suffering. 

Let me be put to work for you or set aside for you, praised for you or criticized for you. 

Let me be full, let me be empty. 

Let me have all things, let me have nothing. 

I freely and fully surrender all things To your glory and service. 

And now, O wonderful and holy God, Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer, You are mine, and I am yours. 

So be it. 

And the covenant which I have made on earth, let it also be made in heaven.

Amen.

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