Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.

Colossians 3:12

Gracious Lord,

Your kindness manifests itself in action. We know that when Your goodness and loving kindness appeared, You saved us, not because of our works, but solely because of Your mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:4-5). You show “immeasurable riches of [Your] grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus” (Ephesians 2:7). Lord, may Your kindness move us to be kind to others in turn. May we reflect Your love by our attitude toward others, treating everyone with respect and compassion, doing unto others as we would have them do unto us (Matthew 7:12). But help us to show more than a kind attitude, Lord. Help us also to manifest that attitude with helpful acts of service in both small and large ways, according to our abilities and means. Open our eyes to unexpected opportunities, even if they seem inconvenient at the time. Put people in our paths who need to see Your love in action, help us look for ways to “pay it forward,” and grant us humility when we are able to show kindness, pointing to Your example rather than boasting of our works. Thank You for showing us Your undeserved kindness, and help us always to reflect that in turn to those we meet.

Please help me to be kind to the following people and in the following ways…

In Your name I pray. Amen.

For a full explanation of this challenge, see the post 12-Minute Prayer Challenge. If you are just joining us, feel free to continue on with us from the current day, or if you prefer, you can go back and start at Day 1.