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In an era of packed calendars and overscheduled children, many Christian parents struggle to find time and energy for spiritual practices with their families. Mornings seem ideal, until someone can’t find their backpack. Evenings would work perfectly, except children’s activities mean there are only two nights when everyone is home together.
The logistics alone can be discouraging, not to mention the challenge of discussing complex Scripture passages or difficult truths about the world with children. It can all feel overwhelming.
This three-day devotional serves families who want to gather at the dinner table but find themselves scattered, or who have time together but aren’t quite sure how to use it meaningfully. Designed for parents who want to share God’s love for the oppressed with their children, these brief daily devotionals introduce a Bible verse, a child from another country, and a brief reflection.
Consider an every-other-day pattern with this devotional. Read and discuss the first devotional on Monday, then reflect on Tuesday. By Saturday, you’ll have spent quality time in God’s word, prayer, and with one another considering how to love others as Jesus loves them.
Day One: Praying for Vision
Have you ever stubbed your toe in the dark? Or maybe stepped on a LEGO when you’re trying to sneak to get an after-dinner snack? Even in our own homes—-places we know better than anywhere else—the dark can make it hard to see what’s right in front of us!
Sometimes we also have trouble seeing important things, even when it’s not dark at all. We might walk right past someone who needs a friend, or we miss noticing that our sister is having a rough day, or we forget to say thank you to the crossing guard who keeps us safe every morning. It’s like we’re wearing invisible sunglasses that block out the special things about the people around us.
Jesus tells us something amazing about this. He says that every time we see someone who needs help and choose to help them, it’s like we’re helping Jesus himself. So when you share your lunch with someone, or include the new kid at recess, or help your little brother tie his shoes, Jesus says it’s like you’re doing those kind things for him.
In Tanzania, a country far across the ocean, there’s an eleven-year-old girl named Hosiana who knows what it feels like when people don’t see your needs. Every day, her grandmother would sell vegetables at the market, trying her very best to earn enough money for food. But no matter how hard she worked, it was never quite enough. It was like they were standing in the shadows, hoping someone would notice them.
Then something wonderful happened. The people at a local church, working with Compassion International, really saw Hosiana and her grandmother. They didn’t just see what was wrong—they saw what could be right. They gave Hosiana’s grandmother her very own garden to grow food. Now, instead of wondering if they’ll have enough to eat, Hosiana can focus on her schoolwork and her big dream of becoming a teacher.
Here’s the coolest part: just like those people saw Hosiana, God is asking us to be his special helpers who see the world. He wants us to notice the people others might miss—the kid eating lunch alone, the elderly neighbor who could use help with groceries, or the friend who seems extra quiet today. When we learn to see people the way God sees them, it helps us spot opportunities to show his love everywhere we look.
Read: “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'” Matthew 25:40
Think About It: Who might need your help but feels invisible right now? What might be keeping you from seeing the needs around you?
Act Together: Play a family game of “I Spy God’s Love.” Take turns pointing out people helping others throughout your day. You can also learn more about Hosiana and her home country of Tanzania!
Pray: “Dear Jesus, sometimes we miss seeing the people around us who need your love. Thank you for teaching us that when we help others, it’s like helping you. Please help us notice the people others might not see. We pray especially for Hosiana and her grandmother. Thank you for helping people see their needs. Give us your eyes to spot opportunities to show your love everywhere we go. Help us remember that everyone we meet is precious to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Day 2: Praying for A Generous Heart
Have you ever borrowed something so special that you didn’t want to give it back? Maybe it was your friend’s video game, your cousin’s basketball, or even a sparkly pencil that wrote in rainbow colors. When someone shares something they love with us, it feels amazing.
In Thailand, there’s a boy named Borisut who understands this in a special way. Every morning, the seven-year-old walks to his family’s garden—a garden that started as a gift from their church. With careful hands, he takes care of the growing plants, pulling weeds and making sure each vegetable gets enough water. The garden isn’t just full of food; it’s full of love that was shared with his family when they needed it most.
But here’s the amazing part: Borisut doesn’t just receive from the garden—he gives too. His small hands work hard to help his family grow food that they can all enjoy together. The garden that started as one act of sharing has grown into a daily reminder of God’s generosity and love.
Sometimes sharing feels hard. We might worry about our toys getting broken or wonder if we’ll get them back. But Borisut’s garden teaches us a beautiful lesson. When we share, we plant seeds of kindness that can grow into something bigger than we ever imagined. A simple act of sharing, like the church sharing garden tools and seeds with Borisut’s family, can grow into food that feeds an entire family!
The next time you have a chance to share something—whether it’s your snack, your time helping someone, or even just a nice hello—remember Borisut’s garden. Remember that every small act of sharing is like planting a tiny seed of God’s love in the world. And just like Borisut’s vegetables, those seeds can grow into something beautiful that feeds bodies and hearts.
Read: “Whoever is kind to the poor lends to the Lord, and he will reward them for what they have done.” Proverbs 19:17
Think About It: What’s something special that someone has shared with you? How did it make you feel? What’s something you could share today that might make someone else feel that same way?
Act Together: Plant a small seed in a cup. As you watch it grow, talk about how sharing, like seeds, can grow into something bigger than we expect. You can also learn more about Borisut and Thailand together!
Pray: “Dear God, thank you for sharing your love with us every day. Help us to be more like Borisut, finding joy in sharing what we have with others. Thank you for teaching us that when we share with others, we’re really sharing with you. Please bless Borisut, his family, and their garden. Help us remember that even our smallest acts of kindness can grow into something beautiful in your hands. In Jesus’ name, amen.”
Day 3: Praying for Purpose
Have you ever had one of those days that feels like too much? When your to-do list is longer than a giraffe’s neck? Maybe you’re staring at a mountain of homework while remembering you promised to clean your room, and oh wait—you have soccer practice in 20 minutes! Sometimes life can feel like you’re trying to play with too many balls at once.
In Colombia, a young girl named Dayana knows exactly what a day like that feels like. Every morning at 6 AM, while many of us are still sleeping in bed, Dayana is already walking through her neighborhood. The sun is just waking up as she makes her way to buy food for her family. Her day is packed full as she helps at home, studies at school, does chores, and takes care of her siblings. It sounds exhausting, right?
But Dayana has discovered a special secret, one that Jesus also teaches us about in the Bible. Jesus tells us that real love isn’t just about saying nice things—it’s about what we do. It’s like the difference between saying “I’m going to clean my room!” and actually picking up those toys off the floor. Dayana doesn’t just say she loves her family; she shows it through every early morning walk, homework assignment, and washed dish.
Here’s what makes Dayana’s story amazing: instead of feeling grumpy about her busy days, she’s found a way to turn them into something beautiful through gratitude. She sees each task as a chance to love her family, learn something new, or help someone else. When she’s buying food in the morning, she’s thankful she can help. When she’s doing homework, she’s grateful she gets to go to school. Even when she’s doing chores, she’s happy she can spend time with her siblings.
What if we looked at our overwhelming days the same way? What if each task wasn’t just something to check off, but a chance to show love, learn something new, or help someone else? Maybe that mountain of homework is actually a chance to grow smarter, and cleaning your room is a way to show your parents you appreciate your home.
Read: “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. If anyone has material possessions and sees a brother or sister in need but has no pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person? Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:16-18
Think About It: What’s the hardest part of your day? How could you look at it differently, like Dayana does? What would Jesus say about how you handle tough days?
Act Together: Make a family gratitude jar. When something feels overwhelming, write down one thing you’re thankful for about that situation and put it in the jar. At the end of the week, read them together and see how being thankful changed your view. During this week, you can also learn more about Dayana and her home country of Colombia!
Pray: “Dear God, sometimes our days feel too big and too busy. But you’ve shown us that grateful hearts can turn overwhelming moments into opportunities to love others. Help us remember that real love is shown in what we do, not just what we say. Thank you for Dayana. Please bless her and her family in Colombia. When we feel overwhelmed, help us remember to be thankful and to show our love through our actions, just like Jesus taught us. In his name we pray, amen.”
By sharing stories, Scripture, and times of prayer with their children, parents can help prepare the soil for God’s work in their lives. Compassion International offers dozens of stories, devotionals, and resources for families who want to grow together in loving the Lord, fighting poverty, and uplifting others.
For more devotionals that will prompt meaningful discussions and offer action steps for being the hands and feet of Jesus, visit Compassion International.
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