A Prayer About Empathy

A prayer about Empathy

When I want to grow in empathy

Heavenly Father,

It’s usually not difficult for me to feel bad for someone who is going through a hard time or to feel glad for someone who has had success. That kind of quick sympathy doesn’t cost much. But I want to be deeper than that. I want to experience empathy—to feel the same emotions that other people feel. When I have empathy, there won’t be room to feel jealousy over a friend’s success or to enjoy the failure of an enemy. Lord, as I pursue this kind of compassion, I know you can break through to my heart, softening it toward others and helping me know how to comfort them, support them, and meet their needs. As I seek to understand people, may I grow in my knowledge of how best to show love to them in obedience to your commandment to love one another.

Be happy with those who are happy, and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15