This Lent Period, Let Us Be Good Samaritans

A Call to Love, Compassion, Kindness, Fasting & Sacrificial Giving

By Prince Adeyemi Shonibare

As Christians begin the holy season of Lent and Muslims commence their sacred period of fasting, we are reminded that fasting is not merely abstinence from food, but a spiritual discipline that must translate into love, compassion, humility, generosity, forgiveness, and service to humanity.This season calls us to prayer, fasting, repentance, reflection, charity, and sacrificial giving. May God accept all our prayers, fasts, sacrifices, and supplications, and reward every act of mercy in Jesus’ Name. Amen.

WHO IS A GOOD SAMARITAN?

A Good Samaritan is anyone who allows the compassion, mercy, and kindness of God to flow through them to others. Jesus taught this lesson through the parable of the Good Samaritan. A man was attacked by robbers and left half dead. A priest passed by. A Levite walked away. But a Samaritan—despised by society—stopped, helped, cared, carried, and paid for the wounded man’s recovery.Jesus concluded, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:37, NKJV)The NLT says, “Now go and do the same.”The AMP expands it: “Go and do the same [showing mercy with compassion].”True faith is expressed through practical love and sacrificial kindness.

A TRUE GOOD SAMARITAN

David lived in this same spirit. While running from King Saul, many oppressed and broken men ran to him. The Scripture says:

“Everyone who was in distress, everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him. So he became captain over them.”(1 Samuel 22:2, NKJV)

The NLT says they were “troubled, in debt or bitter in soul.”David took these empty and frustrated men and transformed them into mighty warriors.

A mentor can be a Good Samaritan.

A boss can be a Good Samaritan.A servant can be a Good Samaritan.

Every elected or appointed official can be a Good Samaritan.

In every workplace and every home, God is searching for Good Samaritans.

GOOD SAMARITANS IN DAILY LIFE

The call to compassion is not for pastors alone. Every occupation carries a divine assignment.Tailors, drivers, traders, artisans, welders, mechanics, electricians, barbers, carpenters, plumbers, farmers, nurses, teachers, doctors, security guards, bankers, students, civil servants, business owners — each can bring healing to someone’s life.

The Holy Spirit uses ordinary men to perform extraordinary acts of mercy.

THE LACK OF LOVE IS DESTROYING OUR WORLD

Selfishness, greed, hatred, tribalism, wickedness, political manipulation, injustice, and corruption are the reasons behind killings, banditry, terrorism, poverty, and suffering.

Jesus said:“Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.”(Matthew 25:40, NKJV).

The NLT says: “You were doing it to Me!”

The AMP says: “You did it for Me.”Jesus also commanded:

“You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”(Matthew 22:39, AMP)

WHY JEALOUSY DESTROYS

Cain killed Abel out of jealousy (Genesis 4:8). Joseph’s brothers hated him because of God’s favour and sold him (Genesis 37:4, 28). Saul pursued David because envy consumed him (1 Samuel 18:8–12). Jealousy still ruins families, friendships, businesses, politics, ministries, and even pulpits.

“Keep your heart with all diligence, for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23, NKJV)The NLT says: “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.”

Protect your heart from false preachers, false friends, political merchants, flattery, pride, bitterness, and hatred.

THE FRUIT OF THE SPIRIT MUST LEAD US

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”(Galatians 5:22–23, NKJV)When these fruits rule your life, evil cannot control your actions.

BE A GOOD SAMARITAN THIS LENT & FASTING PERIOD

This Lent and fasting season is a time to reflect the heart of Christ through prayer, fasting, generosity, repentance, forgiveness, humility, and compassion.Do not give gifts only to the rich or those who can repay you.Let the needy feel Jesus through you.

Visit widows

Support orphans

Feed the hungry

Encourage the depressed

Visit the elderly

Bless strangers

Forgive freely

Give sacrificially

A simple smile guided by the Holy Spirit can heal a wounded soul.Sometimes, your smile is the only sermon someone will hear.Let this fasting season become a season of giving, kindness, charity, and restoration.

SCRIPTURES ON KINDNESS

“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord.” — Proverbs 19:17

“The merciful, kind, and generous man benefits himself.” — Proverbs 11:17

“Oh, the joys of those who are kind to the poor!” — Psalm 41:1

“Never let loyalty and kindness leave you.” — Proverbs 3:3–4

“A good man deals graciously and lends.” — Psalm 112:5

Billy Graham: “We are never more like Christ than when we extend a hand to the hurting.”

Mother Teresa: “If you judge people, you have no time to love them.”

Myles Munroe: “True leadership serves, not controls.”

Joel Osteen: “One act of kindness can be someone’s miracle.”

T.D. Jakes: “God uses broken people to lift broken people.”

Zig Ziglar: “You can have everything in life you want if you help enough other people get what they want.”

THE REWARD OF KINDNESS

Kindness opens doors, attracts favour, protects life, brings divine remembrance, multiplies blessings, and builds generational harvests. God never forgets the seed of mercy.

PRAYERS

PRAYER FOR SECURITY & PEACE IN NIGERIA

Father, stretch Your mighty hand over Nigeria. Silence violence, banditry, terrorism, wickedness, and corruption. Cover our land with peace. Protect our citizens, soldiers, police officers, and communities. Let righteousness rise again. Amen.

PRAYER FOR PEACE IN OUR FAMILIES

Lord, heal our homes. Replace anger with love, confusion with peace, bitterness with forgiveness, and division with unity. Let Your presence dwell in every family. Amen.

PRAYER FOR CALMNESS IN TROUBLED BUSINESSES

Father, speak peace to every storm. Where there is fear, bring courage. Where there is lack, bring supernatural supply. Where there is confusion, bring clarity. Lift every business into divine favour. Amen.

PRAYER FOR DIVINE FAVOUR & PROSPERITY

Lord, open doors no man can shut. Grant us favour locally and internationally. Prosper the works of our hands. Cause Nigeria to flourish again. Let success follow us. Amen.

PRAYER FOR OUR PRESIDENT & LEADERS

Lord, give our President and all leaders wisdom, compassion, humility, courage, and the fear of God. Remove corrupt influences. Guide every decision with righteousness. Let Nigeria rise in Your light. Amen.

FINAL CHARGE

Be a Good Samaritan — today, this Lent season, and always.

Heal the wounded.

Lift the fallen.

Encourage the depressed.

Strengthen the weak.Love the forgotten.Give sacrificially.

Fast with humility.

Pray with faith.

For every time you show mercy to the least among us, you are ministering directly to Christ Himself.

May God accept our fasting, prayers, sacrifices, and supplications.

May He fill our hearts with love, compassion, peace, and divine grace. Amen.