A Prayer about Kindness to Strangers

Gracious Lord, 

Many of us have known 

the undeserved kindness of a stranger. 

Someone we didn’t know brought us a meal 

when our loved one when was in the hospital; 

a kind grandmotherly woman 

picked up our toddler’s tossed bottle in Target 

and handed it back to us smiling with empathy; 

a fellow traveler helped us get our suitcase into the overhead bin 

when we were clearly struggling. 

As bright and lovely as these kindnesses are, 

they pale in comparison to the kindness you have shown us, 

those estranged from you by sin.

Through your Son, you have extended us forgiving welcome.

You have fed our hunger on the body of Christ; 

you have quenched our thirst with his blood, the wine. 

Empowered by your grace to us, 

may we extend your kindness to strangers:

feeding the hungry, 

giving drink to the thirsty, 

clothing the naked, 

and visiting the sick and imprisoned (Matthew 25:35-36).

In Jesus’ welcoming name.

Amen.

Read Matthew 25:31-46.