Compassionate Prayer

Charlotte had a wonderful overnight campout with the Chelsens last Friday. While we sat in the ER, she enjoyed bubbles, singing by the fire and several spider bites. At breakfast this morning her wrist was hurting and swollen. She said, "I think you should pray for me." John and I each took one of her hands. I was touched by his prayer. It went something like this, "Thank you Lord for Charlotte. Thank you for your love for her. Sometimes along life's way we encounter attacks of the Enemy like this spider bite Charlotte has. These bites from the Enemy can cause us to doubt that You are with us, or to doubt that You love us. Let Charlotte know how much you love her. We ask that You will come and take the sting out of this bite. Let the pain go from Charlotte's hand into your body on the cross. We thank You, Lord that this bite will get better. It will not always hurt or itch like it does now. In your name,Jesus. Amen."
As my friend Sally tearfully said when she heard this, "com-passion is with-pain." One who has had pain exudes com-passion for others.
Lord, use the smallest bites we experience to give us compassion for others.