God of compassion,
You call me to love and serve the people around me.
To live your kind of generosity, sacrifice, self-denial and compassion.
Despite my self-centered and selfish impulses, you call me to follow you.
I don’t always want to do it. Sometimes people seem unlovable.
And yet, with your help, I can try.
Empower me to give of myself to help others.
Fill me with your compassion and move me to reach out.
Show me how to serve and love the people I encounter.
Help me care for people who are precious to me, people I don’t know, and people I’d rather ignore.
Use me as you love and transform the world.
Amen.
following | Jesus talks about the challenges of following in Mark 8