A Question of Compassion (feat. Phil Waldrep):

This post has been a long time coming, and I am thrilled to share today’s guest writer—my friend, Phil Waldrep. Phil and I met a few months ago at church before I traveled to Kenya. I was already familiar with Phil and his ministry, so meeting him in person was an honor. Over time, we got to know each other well, and the Lord has taught me a lot through him.

I decided to ask Phil to write for my blog, and he graciously said yes! Without further ado, I’ll let Phil take it from here.

"Did you know there is a question that you can ask that will encourage and bless people? Even unbelievers will appreciate your asking. The question is simple: “How can I pray for you?” We often tell people that we are praying for them, especially if they are going through a struggle. Or we say that they are “in our thoughts and prayers.” But asking this question is different from expressing your willingness to pray. It affects people in a different way. By sincerely asking how you can pray for them, you give the listener permission to share their hurts and struggles.

In the past few months, I have asked strangers that interacted with my life that question. Their responses allowed me to see their hearts and share their pain. For example, a teenager asked me to pray that his parents would stop fighting. An elderly gentleman asked me to pray that a friendship would be restored. And a lady with a heavy heart asked me to pray for her as she had to tell her small children that she had cancer.

Everyone thanked me for asking. Later, I wondered why people responded favorably to my question. I realized asking the question communicated value. It tells someone they are loved. It shows, at least in your eyes, they have worth. Your concern means they are significant. But the question goes deeper. Our Lord may speak to you about being part of the answer.

He may use their response to change your heart toward them or a group to which they belong. And He may open your eyes to a world that you never knew existed. Asking, “How can I pray for you?” is an exercise that also affects the asker. For me, genuinely asking people growing kindness in my heart. I can’t explain it, but the more concern that I have for people, the more I pray for people, and the more I ask others how I can pray for them, the softer my heart becomes.

Thirty-one times in the New Testament we are told to “be kind.” Kindness doesn’t come natural in a self-idolized heart. It must come supernatural by seeing people as God does. And the best way to see people as our Lord does, is to ask, “How can I pray for you?’ Philip Yancey, in his book What Good is God expressed it best. Yancey wrote, “When I pray for another person, I am praying for God to open my eyes so that I can see that person as God does, and then enter into the stream of love that God already directed toward that person.”

Today, why don’t you try it. You might be surprised at what happens to you and to the one you ask.”

I thank the Lord for people like Phil. I hope you enjoyed reading, and I hope there is something we can all take away from what Phil wrote!