10-Days to a Heart of Compassion - Devotional Book

A LETTER FROM TERRY

Friends,

Welcome to this incredible 10-day journey that I pray will warm your heart, encourage your desire to be a difference-maker, and strengthen your resolve to act on behalf of those whom the world has forgotten.

Over the next 10 days, I think you’ll find that God has very clearly told us what He thinks about those who are facing tough times, and what He wants us to do about it. It’s so easy for all of us to wonder what God would have us do about things like orphans, poverty, homelessness, broken homes, addiction, etc. The truth is, He has already told us. His words are as clear as the day is long, and our responsibility is to listen and obey.

My prayer for you as you embark on this journey and discover God’s heart for His children is this: that you would end the journey with a heart that is tender for the things that pain His heart. That you would see more clearly the opportunities that exist around you for you to serve. And that you would recognize the incredible worth and purpose that are the foundation of who you are.

We’ve provided some questions and prayer points to help you on your journey. I would really encourage you to write down your thoughts, prayers, and feelings. It’s always fascinating to look back and see the journey the Lord has taken me on, and it’s easier to remember when I mark points along the path with notes, thoughts, and prayers. Give yourself the gift of seeing His faithful hand in your life by pouring your heart out on these pages as you read.

As you read each day, think about how what you’re reading can be applied to your life, and ask God to show you more. More of Him, more of you... more of where you can walk together with Him to bring healing to the hurting world around you. There can be no question: God’s heart is for us, His children. He desires for us to love Him and one another well. When we ask Him for help, He is faithful to meet us where we are and guide us as we grow.

As God cultivates a heart of compassion in you, I pray you would unleash that compassion on the world around you. So many are desperate for a compassionate, loving touch. You can be the answer to someone’s prayers just by showing up and offering them a friend, a helping hand, a smile, a meal, or a prayer. It’s time for you to embark on your own God Adventure!

Blessings,

Almost every story that humans tell involves a daring rescue of some kind in the arch of its narrative—whether that’s the rescue of a damsel in distress, a national treasure, or a civilization from destruction. Our hearts keep repeating this story over and over. Deep down, we know we need rescuing from the aching brokenness within us and around us in this world we live in.

We need someone to save us. We need a Rescuer.

Unlike so many other religions, our Christian faith does not revolve around a regimen of rules we are required to follow in order to earn eternal life. Instead, it is centered around the heart of a Father, who aches with such compassion for His children that He cannot bear to leave them destitute in their own weakness and brokenness. He intervenes, He comes down to earth, and He rescues us from ourselves, offering Himself up as a sacrifice for our sins, bearing the weight of what we deserve. It isn’t just what He does; it is part of who He is.

This heart of God as a rescuer and redeemer of the afflicted is an underpinning for our entire faith. He doesn’t leave us to our own devices. He says, “I’ve got you. I’m coming in.” And He doesn’t stop until we’re safe in His arms.

Questions to Consider:

How has God acted as a rescuer for His people throughout history?

How do you see Him showing up in this role in the world today? What’s one of the biggest areas you see a need for His intervention?

What has He rescued you from in your own life?

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Spend some time thanking the Lord for how he has rescued you in your own life.

Praise Him for His faithfulness to His people throughout history. Think of specific times when He intervened on behalf of His children and rescued them from the consequences of sin or selfishness.

Intercede on behalf of those who need the Lord to rescue them today (some ideas: vulnerable children trapped in poverty or abuse, victims of trafficking, orphans and widows with no one to rely on). Ask God to show Himself mighty on their behalf.

Verse of the Day:

Job 29:12

“Because I delivered the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to help him.”

Today, we have a fatherlessness crisis—not only for the 153 million children around the world who are orphaned, but also the millions more who have been abandoned, abused, disappointed, and hurt by the humans who were supposed to represent the role of father on earth. With so much pain connected to the concept in this world, it can be hard to fully comprehend the beauty of God’s character as our Father.

But close your eyes for a moment and imagine.

He is everything your heart ever longed for in a father. He is the arms that scoop you up when you fall. He is the voice singing you softly to sleep. His is the gaze that delights in you so deeply as His child, His precious treasure, the apple of His eye. His is the righteous wrath over any evil that tries to hurt you or separate you from Him. He is your protector. There is a feeling of safety and a deep breath of freedom— He will never fail you. With Him beside you, there’s nothing that can make you feel afraid.

That is who your Father is. That is His heart for you.

Questions to Consider:

Is the concept of “father” positive or negative to you? What are some strongholds that might keep you from fully accepting the concept of God as your Father?

Why is God’s heart for us as His children such an important part of understanding His character?

Are there times in your life where God showed up for you as a protector or provider? Take a minute to jot them down and put them on your fridge or bathroom mirror as a reminder of His love for you.

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Confess to God what may be keeping you from fully accepting Him in the role of Father.

Ask God to give you deeper insight into His heart as your Father.

Spend at least five minutes in silence focus on God and listen for what He may be impressing on your heart.

Verse of the Day:

Psalm 68:5

“Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation.”

When we experience the pain of this world, whether it is a tragedy that affects us personally or news of a disaster from the other side of the world, it can be easy to cry out: “God, where are You? Father, why don’t You see?” The hurt can be so raw. If we aren’t grounded in the knowledge of the character of our God, our own pain or even our compassion for those who are in pain can lead us to question Him.

Instead, we need to remember the heart of our Father. He is a God who sees the trouble of the afflicted. He is there—walking beside the brokenhearted. He is there—huddled in the darkness with the child who has been abandoned. He is there—running beside the refugee who is fleeing for his or her life. He feels the pain no one else can see. He weeps with them, and with us. He hears every cry. His heart is to wipe every tear from every eye and banish the pain of death forever.

Until then, God doesn’t promise us peace or perfection in this world, but He does promise us the comfort of His presence. He promises that when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, His footsteps will echo beside us. Whatever trials and suffering we may endure in this world, we are so blessed to serve a God who is a comforter. God’s

Questions to Consider:

What does God’s role as a comforter say about His character?

How does God’s promise of His presence change the way we view or react to disasters or darkness in this world? How can this be part of our testimony as followers of Christ?

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Jot down areas of pain or darkness, whether personal or global, where you feel tempted to question God’s presence. Spend some time praying over each of them and ask the Lord to reveal His hand in the situation to you. Ask Him to deepen your faith even when you don’t see His hand.

Now, write down five times God showed up for you in moments of great hurt or darkness Spend time praising Him for His comforting presence. When you are doubting His presence, cling to those touchstones of His faithfulness. He is here. He will never leave you.

Verse of the Day:

Psalm 10:14

“But you do see, for you note mischief and vexation, that you may take it into your hands; to you the helpless commits himself; you have been the helper of the fatherless.”

NOTES

Surrounded as we are today by a 24-hour news cycle and social media bombardment, the injustices of this world can feel overwhelming—153 million children orphaned, forced displacement of a record 103 million people, rampant human trafficking, martyrs across the globe, school shootings, and ongoing conflict that destroys too many lives before they have a chance to start.

In the face of this darkness, we can feel powerless. Our hearts grow weary. But God would not be a faithful comforter to the afflicted if He did not also promise justice on behalf of His people. He promises to defend the defenseless. To restore the brokenhearted. To destroy the evil that preys on His children. This is the truth that undergirds our compassion with an unflappable hope; we know the end of the story. Even as we intercede on our knees for justice for the oppressed, we do so with confidence in the character of our King. He breaks every chain. He conquers death. His is the victory.

Questions to Consider:

How can our hope in God’s promise of justice for the oppressed prevent us from experiencing “compassion fatigue”? How might this differ from how unbelievers approach an issue?

What are some ways you can reflect God’s heart for justice in your own life? Try to think of five ways you can start putting these into practice this week.

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Praise the Lord for His heart for justice and His faithfulness in fulfilling each of His promises.

Ask God to begin to develop that heart in you. Spend some time in stillness in the Lord’s presence, listening.

Pray for orphans, trafficking victims, refugees, victims of trauma, and others who are oppressed. Ask the Lord to intervene on their behalf, and to fulfill His promise to bring them justice.

Verse of the Day:

Deuteronomy 10:18

“He executes justice for the fatherless and the widow, and loves the sojourner, giving him food and clothing.”

God’s character is defined by how He cares for His people. He rescues and comforts, protects and promises justice. Even so, as His followers, our calling is to mirror that character in a broken and bleeding world. Our daily lives should be marked by unshakable compassion, sacrificial service, and extravagant love. Whether you live on a mission field in a rural town or in a big city, you can walk out this calling to reflect God’s character in how you demonstrate compassion to those around us.

As you seek to walk worthy of this calling, He is ready to wrap your heart in a beautiful promise: Your obedience will bring light, healing, righteousness, and the covering of the glory of the Lord. You were born to echo His heartbeat to a hurting humanity. You were born for such a time as this.

Verse of the Day:

“Is not this the fast that I choose: to loose the bonds of wickedness, to undo the straps of the yoke, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke? Is it not to share your bread with the hungry and bring the homeless poor into your house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from your own flesh? Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.”

Isaiah 58:6-8

Questions to Consider:

What do these verses tell us about God’s heart for how we are to live as His followers? What are His priorities for us?

Pause and reflect: How closely does your life today align with His priorities? What are three ways you can incorporate the calling in these verses into your week?

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Spend some time praying for those who are suffering around you—in your neighborhood, your church, your community. Ask God to fill you with a renewed passion for pouring out your life for those who are oppressed, hungry, poor, and in bondage around you.

As we prepare to delve more into our calling in the coming days, spend some time praying that God would equip you with the power and perseverance to walk worthy of this calling.

NOTES

Compassion has been called “love in action.” Without the heart behind it—without love—compassion is stripped of its world-changing potential and becomes simply acts of service to alleviate suffering. These acts are still helpful, but they lose their power. Or, as the Apostle Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:3, “If I give all I possess to the poor ... but do not have love, I gain nothing.”

It is love that activates the ingredients of compassion and transforms the act of serving from checking a box into a joyful overflow of the Father’s love for us that we can’t help but let spill out onto the people around us. It is this love that flips the world’s view of religion on its head, from something that happens in a pew bench to something that happens when we’re not afraid to kneel in the dirt and messiness of this life and embrace someone who is suffering. It happens when we dare to see the need, dare to show up, dare to risk our hearts being broken alongside theirs, dare to confront the darkness of this world and say, “There is hope. This isn’t the end of the story.”

You are called to this kind of extravagant, actionable love. As a child of God, you are capable of this kind of love. Is there any more beautiful calling than that?

Questions to Consider:

Jot down the first five words that come to your mind when describing your life. Don’t overthink it, just note your first reaction.

Of those words, how many align with James’ description of a “pure and faultless” religion? How many reflect God’s love for the overlooked? What needs to be surrendered and replaced?

According to this verse, what do you think some impure or faulty expressions of religion might look like?

What do you think James means when he says to keep yourself from “being unstained by the world”?

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Ask the Lord to fill you with His love for His people.

Take a few minutes to go through Scripture and find verses about God’s love. Meditate on them throughout the day.

Prayer ties our hearts to each other. Begin praying specifically for people in need, even though you may not know their name. Pray for an orphan, pray for a refugee, pray for a trafficking victim. If you get stuck, try praying Scripture over their lives.

Verse of the Day:

“Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.”

James 1:27

NOTES

God doesn’t call us to a love that is confined to our quiet times with Him or emotional expressions during worship service. He calls us to a fiery, fierce love with a strength that is manifested in action. He calls us to love Him by loving others. He assigns us the hard work of caring and of helping.

Take a moment and think about your to-do list for today. How much of it revolves around what you need to accomplish, and how much of it is focused on helping others? Try writing a list today that includes three things you can do for other people, no matter how small. It can be donating an evening to serve with a local nonprofit, or simply sitting with someone who is discouraged and being willing to listen. It can be buying a stranger a cup of coffee or sharing on Facebook about the orphan crisis and asking friends to join you in donating. It’s putting the action in love and love in action. Don’t miss the opportunity. This is what we were called to do. This is how we are called to live.

Verse of the Day:

Acts 20:35

“In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Questions to Consider:

Why do you think Paul mentions the fact that helping can be hard work?

How can Jesus’ words about the blessings of giving encourage us when the work is difficult?

What character qualities do you think are important to develop so that we don’t grow weary in doing good? How do those qualities show up in your life?

What other steps can you take today to live out our calling to help others? Is there a family you can come alongside, a ministry you can become involved in, or a cause you can donate to?

Brainstorm some ideas and jot them down. Put the list on your fridge.

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Take some time to ask the Lord to reveal to you opportunities that He’s already put in your life where you could be helping others.

Ask the Lord to give you the perseverance, persistence, and passion you need to devote your life to helping others when the work becomes hard.

NOTES

One of the most beautiful pictures in the Bible is the image of Christ our Advocate, who stands before the Father on our behalf and defends us from our accuser. As followers of Christ, one of our highest privileges is getting to mirror that image when we take up the cause of the weak and powerless before the throne of God. While the world encourages us to devote our lives to advocating for ourselves, advancing our agendas, and achieving our personal goals, He invites us to show His heart to the world by the way we pour ourselves out as an advocate for “the least of these.”

There are many ways you can do this, but one way you can start today is by serving as an intercessor for those who may have no one else praying for them. James 5:16 promises that, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power.” Use the power you have as a child of God, clothed in Christ’s perfect righteousness, to take up the cause of the weak and the oppressed. Fight for them on your knees. Go to battle for their future. Dedicate your time before the Lord to lifting them up for His protection, His defense.

Verse of the Day:

Psalm 82:3

“Give justice to the weak and the fatherless; maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.”

Questions to Consider:

Why is intercession such an important part of our role as Christians in a broken world?

What issues, regions, or people groups has the Lord put on your heart? Make a list and begin writing out some specific prayer points underneath each one.

Do you have time set aside during your day to intercede for others? Try setting a timer for five minutes at the same time every day, and intentionally pause and pray for someone on your list.

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Begin interceding today: Spend time praying for the 153 million orphans around the world who don’t have someone in that role to protect and provide for them. Pray specifically that they would know they have a Father in heaven.

Pray for families trapped in generational poverty, that the Lord would lift them up and show them His provision.

Pray for victims of trafficking and abuse, that the Lord would show Himself mighty on their behalf. Pray for physical protection and for justice, and that they would come to know God as their Rescuer and Defender.

NOTES

CALLING TO SPEAK

In his book The Irresistible Revolution, Shane Claiborne writes, “We are not a voice for the voiceless. The truth is that there is a lot of noise out there drowning out quiet voices, and many people have stopped listening to the cries of their neighbors. Lots of folks have put their hands over their ears to drown out the suffering.”

Everyone has a voice. But too many of those who are marginalized or oppressed are not being heard. Worse still, many are actively being silenced and ignored. We are called to speak out against the noise. To provide a platform for voices that would not otherwise be heard. To encourage people to listen and not to turn away. Speaking out might be just slightly uncomfortable or it might be miles outside of your comfort zone. Do it anyway. Speak out on behalf of those who don’t have the ability to advocate for their own rights. Use your platform and pass your microphone to let their voices be heard.

Verse of the Day:

Proverbs 31:8

“Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.”

Questions to Consider:

What platforms or positions of influence has the Lord placed in your life? What audiences (including friends, family, and coworkers) can you encourage on a daily basis? Make a list.

How can you use these platforms to advocate for the causes and people groups that you listed yesterday? Think of some specific action steps and try to set aside time to accomplish them.

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Praise the Lord for the gift of being able to use your voice on behalf of those who are in need.

Ask God to grant you boldness and authority in speaking out even when it’s uncomfortable or inconvenient.

Pray that the Lord makes your heart beat with the same love and compassion that He has for those who are marginalized and oppressed.

NOTES

“God, what is Your will for me?” It is something that we have all prayed before, often secretly wishing for a neon sign or a loud voice to speak from heaven and direct us in what to do. But sometimes we overcomplicate His will for our lives. While God delights in engaging with us on the details of our days and directing our paths, He lays out His calling for our lives very clearly here in these verses. Learn to do good. Seek justice. Correct oppression. Defend the fatherless and the widow. This is how we reflect His heart in a weary world that is searching for answers.

His character is clear. Your calling has been laid out. The question now is: How will you answer the call? How will your heart be lit on fire for those in need whom the Lord has placed in your life? How will your holy compassion take action today and every day? You have been chosen for this purpose. Your life, your voice, your gifts are precious to God and can be used for His kingdom. Don’t wait. As Paul says in Ephesians 4:1, it is up to you to “walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called.”

Isaiah 1:17

Verse of the Day:

“Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.”

Questions to Consider:

What are some of the roadblocks, obstacles, or strongholds that keep you from fully living out this calling?

What are some ways you can make the calling in these verses practical to your daily life? What can you start with today?

Prayer Points:

Spend a few moments journaling and talking to God. If you need some help, here are a few prayer points to get you started:

Spend some time praying through this verse and asking God to reveal specific areas where you can begin living this calling out in your life.

Pray over the barriers in your life that may be keeping you from fully walking in the calling to which you have been called. Take a few minutes to ask God for wisdom and direction in removing these obstacles.

Ask the Lord to light your heart on fire with a desire to reflect His character in this broken world.

Praise God for the joy and privilege it is to be used in His service for the kingdom of God.

NOTES

A Final Word

That’s it! You’ve completed your journey to cultivate a heart of compassion! I hope you’ve enjoyed the last 10 days and are ready now to look at the world around you with fresh eyes and a heart to serve. You’ve learned a lot over the last 10 days about who God is and who He has designed you to be. Now that you know, how you respond is entirely up to you, but I know that if you reach out to those who are hurting and in need of help around you, you’ll never regret it.

If you feel the tug on your heart to do something and make a difference after completing this journey, here are a few practical ideas to help get you started. Keep in mind, these are just jumping-off points. Feel free to come up with your own ideas and always be on the lookout for ways to make a difference every day.

Next Steps:

Start at home: Is there someone in your immediate family who is hurting? A spouse? A child? A mother or father? Think about ways you can be a blessing to them. How can you serve them, expecting nothing in return?

In your community: What about your neighborhood? Is there a family who is struggling financially that you can bless? Is there perhaps an elderly widow or widower who you can help?

Where your treasure is: Has God blessed you financially? We believe, and the Bible tells us, that God blesses us so we can become a blessing to others. If you’re in a position to invest in the lives of those who are struggling financially, don’t hesitate to give generously. You will never outgive God, and the joy you’ll receive in return is beyond measure! If you’d like to invest in the lives of children who are suffering around the world, we would be honored to have your support! Visit orphanspromise.org/donate and make a gift today.

Pray: No matter your financial situation, you can always pray for those who are hurting. Compassion doesn’t have to come at a financial cost, and your prayers for those who are in need fall on the ears of a heavenly Father who hears and cares about His children.

Go: Look for a mission trip from your local church. Nothing will help you continue to cultivate a heart of compassion like seeing and touching the need firsthand. Find a place where you can go that allows you to make a difference with your time, talents, and compassion.