A Prayer About Kindness

A prayer about Kindness

When I ponder the meaning of kindness

Loving God,

You call me to love others and be kind; in fact, 1 Corinthians 13:4 says that love is kind. But I think sometimes I mistake being “nice” for being kind—being nice involves surface politeness, but you call me to something much deeper and more proactive. As I strive to be kind, teach me to generously share what I have with others and help those in need, even when I don’t know them. Show me how to look for opportunities to help when others are in trouble. Empower me to show forgiveness and mercy to people, though there may be times when they don’t deserve it. Train me to use encouraging, helpful words instead of criticizing others. Being nice is about keeping the peace, but being kind means I may need to confront others or teach them to be peace loving and patient. This is so much more than I can do in my own strength, God, but I know that you will help me. May I begin to show kindness in the small things I do and say until it becomes a habit even in the big things. Thank you that you see and reward every act of kindness, no matter how small.

[Jesus said,] “If you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.” Matthew 10:42