Text: John 4:7-26
Memory text:
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭15‬ ‭NKJV‬‬

Let’s look at other practical ways to show compassion during and after the fasting season.
Be useful to someone. There are two kinds of fasting: the one that makes you empty, and the one that makes you useful. The first only starves the body; the second blesses people. God honours the fast that adds kindness to sacrifice, that is, doing something to alleviate the suffering of someone or giving a relief. “Bear one another’s burdens” (Gal 6:2).
Compassion is not only emotional; it is useful. Give practical help, like helping someone to cook or serve food, to do house chores, to babysit, to drive, to carry a load, to pay a bill, to run errands, etc. You can also pay bills like transport fare, school fees, hospital bills, electricity bills, or even data subscriptions.
Another way to show mercy is to listen to someone’s pain without rushing them. We should not only fast to be heard by God, but God also wants us to hear the cries of people (Isa 58:6-7). Listening is compassion and love in action. When you listen deeply, you are feeding a hungry heart. To listen without interrupting is to love without conditions.
Listening is a way to carry someone’s emotional burden. Some don’t need advice but a witness to their pain.
Sometimes, the greatest mercy you can offer during fasting is the gift of unhurried attention. When you hold space for someone’s tears, you become God’s arms around them.
Before Jesus healed, He often listened. He was tired, hungry, and thirsty, yet He patiently listened to the Samaritan woman’s confusion, questions, and pain. He responded to interruptions with mercy, not irritation. He carried the weight of the world, yet, He still listened to the cry of one person; he never became too busy to hear a hurting voice.
How do you listen? Slow down your pace, for compassion requires unhurried presence. Stay fully present, put down the phone, and give them your eyes. Pain doesn’t speak in straight lines, therefore, let them talk at their pace and don’t rush their pain. Don’t judge or correct too quickly, but ask questions gently. Don’t also rush to pray before listening. Most often, people trust your prayer when they feel your heart.
Friends, don’t just withdraw from food but reach out to someone in pain. Let your ears be a form of worship, and let your presence become God’s comfort to someone in pain.

Prayer points
1. Father, give me the courage to reach out, call, visit, or check on someone who is hurting. Help me to overcome my hesitation or excuses, in Jesus’ name.
2. Father, teach me to listen with patience, gentleness, and love. Deliver me from rushing, judging, or interrupting someone’s pain, in Jesus’ name.

Today’s declarations
1. I am God’s voice of hope to the broken, and I reach out. I won’t allow pressure to make me uncaring.
2. My ears are open to the cries of the hurting, and I listen with patience, compassion, and sensitivity.