A Prayer About Paying It Forward

When I am proactive in service

DEAR LORD,

Recently I have heard talk about “paying it forward.” That is, instead of simply responding in kind to something done for us (returning the favor), we do a good deed for a stranger, who will then, hopefully, be motivated to do something good for someone else, and so forth. I shouldn’t have to be reminded to act like this, because your Word tells believers to treat others the way we would like to be treated and to give our gifts in private, anonymously. My problem is that I usually want to be reciprocated for my gift—returned favor, strengthened relationship, public acknowledgment, heartfelt word of thanks. But loving other people your way means acting in their best interests with no strings attached. I want to do at least one random act of kindness every day—to see a need and meet it—and receive no credit or acknowledgment. Opportunities arise continually with a wide variety of people, so please make me aware of them. Then give me creative ideas for how to act and the courage to follow through.

When you give to someone in need, don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing. Give your gifts in private, and your Father, who sees everything, will reward you. Matthew 6:3-4