Compassion is a divine quality that allows us to reflect God’s love and kindness in our daily interactions. It is an essential virtue that fosters empathy, understanding, and selflessness in a world often marked by indifference.
These prayers for compassion, accompanied by scripture, serve as a spiritual guide to help us cultivate a heart like Christ, one filled with mercy and grace.
Each prayer draws inspiration from the Bible, empowering believers to embody compassion in their words and actions while deepening their relationship with God.
Let this journey inspire a compassionate spirit in every aspect of life.
30 Prayers for Compassion
1. Matthew 9:36
“When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” (ESV)
Lord, as Christ showed compassion to the weary and lost, I pray that You instill in me a heart that sees others’ struggles and responds with kindness.
Open my eyes to the needs around me and lead me to act selflessly, offering comfort and guidance to those who feel harassed and helpless. Help me reflect Your boundless mercy in my daily walk.
2. Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” (ESV)
Father, I ask for a tender heart that forgives freely and loves unconditionally. Teach me to be kind in all situations, extending grace as I have received from You.
May my words and actions demonstrate the depth of compassion that mirrors Your forgiveness and love. Strengthen me to forgive where it is hard and to remain tenderhearted in all my dealings.
3. Colossians 3:12
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience.” (ESV)
Lord, I desire to clothe myself with compassion and kindness every day. As one of Your beloved, teach me humility and meekness so I can serve others with patience and understanding.
Let my heart reflect Your love, spreading hope and encouragement wherever I go.
4. Zechariah 7:9
“Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another.” (ESV)
Merciful God, help me to live according to Your commands by showing kindness and mercy to those I encounter.
Teach me to make fair and just decisions while acting with compassion and love. May my life be a testimony to the kindness of Your heart.
5. Psalm 86:15
“But you, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness.” (ESV)
Lord, You are merciful and gracious, abounding in love. I pray that I can reflect this steadfast love and patience in my interactions.
Grant me the grace to approach others with mercy, slow to anger, and rich in compassion, just as You are towards me.
6. Isaiah 49:13
“Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted.” (ESV)
Heavenly Father, thank You for comforting the afflicted and showing compassion to the weary.
May my heart overflow with joy as I follow Your example and extend the same comfort and care to others in their times of need.
7. Proverbs 19:17
“Whoever is generous to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will repay him for his deed.” (ESV)
Lord, cultivate in me a spirit of generosity toward the needy and less fortunate.
Help me to act with compassion and give without expecting anything in return, knowing that such deeds honor You. Use me as Your vessel to bring hope and blessing to others.
8. Luke 6:36
“Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.” (ESV)
Gracious Father, You are the perfect example of mercy. Teach me to be merciful in all I do, forgiving offenses and extending compassion to those in pain.
May my mercy reflect the immeasurable mercy You have shown me through Christ.
9. 1 John 3:17
“But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him?” (ESV)
Lord, let me never close my heart to someone in need. Stir in me a spirit of generosity that reflects Your abiding love. Teach me to share freely and extend compassion to others, proving Your love through my actions.
10. Romans 12:15
“Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.” (ESV)
Father, give me the ability to empathize deeply with others. Teach me to share in their joys and sorrows with genuine compassion.
Let my presence bring comfort and encouragement, as I strive to mirror the love and care You show to all.
11. Galatians 6:2
“Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (ESV)
Lord, teach me to share in the burdens of others, offering a listening ear, a kind word, or a helping hand. Help me embody Christ’s love by lifting others in their times of need and easing their struggles through acts of compassion.
12. Micah 6:8
“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?” (ESV)
Father, remind me daily of what You require of me: to act justly, love kindness, and walk humbly with You. Cultivate a compassionate heart within me so I can embrace these virtues and reflect Your goodness in all my actions.
13. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction.” (ESV)
God of all comfort, I am grateful for the mercies You show me in my affliction. May I extend the same compassion to those around me, offering solace to the weary and hope to the downtrodden. Use me as a vessel of Your comfort.
14. James 2:15-16
“If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace, be warmed and filled,’ without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?” (ESV)
Lord, let my compassion move beyond words into action. Help me to meet the practical needs of those who are struggling, providing not only encouragement but also tangible help.
Let my generosity reflect Your love for all.
15. Psalm 145:8-9
“The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.” (ESV)
Merciful Father, Your goodness and mercy are boundless. Instill in me a heart that is slow to anger and abounding in love. Teach me to mirror Your compassion in my words, actions, and thoughts toward all creation.
16. 1 Peter 3:8
“Finally, all of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.” (ESV)
Lord, I pray for unity and a tender heart that seeks to understand and care for others. Grant me humility and a spirit of sympathy, so I may always act out of brotherly love and compassion toward my neighbors.
17. Lamentations 3:22-23
“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (ESV)
Faithful God, I am in awe of Your unending mercy and steadfast love. Let this inspire me to show new mercies each day, approaching others with kindness and compassion, regardless of the circumstances.
18. Proverbs 14:21
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but blessed is he who is generous to the poor.” (ESV)
Lord, help me to embrace generosity and reject any disdain for my neighbors. Fill me with compassion that overflows into acts of kindness toward the poor and needy. May my actions honor You and bring blessings to others.
19. Matthew 25:40
“And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.'” (ESV)
Lord, remind me that every act of kindness to others is an act of love toward You. Guide me to serve with compassion and humility, seeing Your image in every person I encounter, especially those in need.
20. Hebrews 13:16
“Do not neglect to do good and to share what you have, for such sacrifices are pleasing to God.” (ESV)
Heavenly Father, give me the strength to do good and the willingness to share what I have with others. Let my sacrifices of generosity and compassion be pleasing to You, reflecting Your love and grace in all that I do.
21. Psalm 112:4
“Light dawns in the darkness for the upright; he is gracious, merciful, and righteous.” (ESV)
Lord, let Your light shine through me, especially during times of darkness. Fill my heart with grace and mercy, so I may stand as a reflection of Your righteousness. Teach me to bring hope and compassion to those around me.
22. Mark 6:34
“When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.” (ESV)
Jesus, as You showed compassion to the crowd, give me the heart to see and meet the needs of those who feel lost and aimless. Help me share wisdom and love, leading others gently toward Your truth.
23. Philippians 2:4
“Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.” (ESV)
Lord, teach me to prioritize the needs of others with empathy and selflessness. May my actions and choices always reflect a heart that seeks to uplift and care for those around me, bringing glory to Your name.
24. Isaiah 58:10
“If you pour yourself out for the hungry and satisfy the desire of the afflicted, then shall your light rise in the darkness and your gloom be as the noonday.” (ESV)
Heavenly Father, give me the courage to pour myself out for the hungry and the afflicted. Use me as an instrument of Your compassion, bringing light and hope to places of despair and darkness.
25. Matthew 5:7
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” (ESV)
Lord, I seek to be among the merciful, reflecting Your love and kindness in all I do. Help me offer forgiveness and compassion freely, knowing that Your mercy toward me knows no bounds.
26. Proverbs 21:13
“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” (ESV)
Father, may my ears always be open to the cries of the poor. Teach me to act with urgency and compassion, so I may be a blessing to those in need and reflect Your unfailing kindness.
27. Romans 15:1
“We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves.” (ESV)
Lord, strengthen me to bear with the weaknesses of others with compassion and patience. Teach me to put their needs above my own, walking humbly as I serve them in love and grace.
28. Job 6:14
“He who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.” (ESV)
God, remind me to never withhold kindness, especially from those close to me. Let my interactions be marked by compassion and grace, showing reverence for You in every word and action.
29. Luke 10:33
“But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion.” (ESV)
Lord, like the Good Samaritan, help me see the needs of others with a heart of compassion. May I not pass by opportunities to show mercy but rather act with generosity and love.
30. 2 Timothy 1:7
“For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (ESV)
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving me a spirit of power, love, and self-control. Strengthen me to show love and compassion boldly, letting go of fear and embracing opportunities to serve others.
Conclusion
We fulfill Christ’s call to love and serve others selflessly, reflecting his divine nature in our actions by cultivating a compassionate spirit.
May these prayers and verses continue to guide and inspire a life of empathy, generosity, and unwavering kindness. Let us always seek to be a light of God’s compassion in the world.