Wavemakersनमूना

Part Two - I can care for others Our prayers can not only affect us, but the lives of others around us. In the story of The Good Samaritan Jesus asked, “Who is your neighbour?” Think about who your neighbours are. You might think that they are just the people that live next door, but Jesus was talking about everybody when He spoke about our neighbours. That means that everyone is your neighbour - your friends, family, teachers and strangers! In Matthew 22:39, Jesus tells us to care for everyone and treat them as we would want to be treated. This is exactly what the Good Samaritan did! He took good care of the Israelite man who had been attacked and left to die by robbers. When other people walked straight past him, the Good Samaritan showed him that he really cared about him by looking after him and paying for his treatment to make him better. The people of the Good Samaritan and the Israelite were enemies, but he chose to help him anyway. Have a think about what being a true neighbour means. It looks like loving others more than we love ourselves and putting others first, it looks like being kind to people even when they are not kind to us, being a good friend to someone, looking out for those that are on their own and it looks like helping our parents with chores with a happy heart. When we show someone that we really care for them, it makes them feel special and valued. We can love and care for everyone because God loves and cares for each and every one of us – we are all special to him! When you show people how special they are to you, you show them how special they are to God. You can create waves in people’s lives and can cause things to change in their lives. You might be the only person that shows someone just how much they mean to you and how much they mean to God. Ask: How do you think people feel when you show them that they are special? How can you be a true neighbour to the people around you today? Think about what this looks like practically! Pray: Dear God, thank you that you care for me and show me how to care for others. Thank you that I can love and care for everyone because they are special to you they are special to me too. Help me to love and care for everyone, even when it might be hard. Amen.