The Mercy We Show to One

‘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). 

The scale of poverty in our world is overwhelming. The millions of human beings trafficked across the globe, and the complexity of this issue, are more than we can absorb. Even in our neighborhoods, the encampments of those without homes can leave us heartbroken and struggling to know how to help. We may feel powerless to make a difference in the face of such enormous needs, yet we can find hope.

In the scripture above, Jesus redirects our attention from the size of the need to the worth of each individual—”whatever you did for one of the least of these…” We are reminded that God sees each man, woman, and child that makes up the millions. He knows the number of hairs on each of their heads. These people are not a statistic. They are seen, known, valued, and loved by Him.

When we wonder whether one prayer, one gift, one act of kindness can genuinely make a difference, Jesus tells us it does. A kind word or invitation to the woman who lives alone on your street is meaningful. A prayer for the young person hunched on the sidewalk, grubby fingers clutching a paper cup in hopes of receiving a few dollars, reaches the ears of the God of mercy and justice.

Likewise, your financial gifts that provide practical support—food, counseling, medical care, and life-skills training—do reach the individual women we serve at Heart of Mercy Mission. Each gift may seem small in relation to the size of the problem, but to the woman receiving help, it can mean safety, dignity, healing, and hope. 

How we respond matters deeply not just to the woman in need but to Jesus. Every act of mercy offered to one vulnerable woman is received by him personally—”you did for me,” Jesus says.

As I ask God to help me consider the “one” He may be asking me to serve through prayer, giving, or sharing the mission, I invite you to do the same. We may not be able to help everyone, but when each of us shows mercy to one person, we are serving Jesus himself—with bodily nourishment, welcome, clothing, care, and compassion.

‘For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me’ (Matthew 25:35-36).

Rachel Britton

HMM invites you to become an Awareness Advocate and share about the ministry with your networks – church, family, friends, ministry, etc. https://www.heartofmercymission.org/share-the-need

 Please pray about how you can best support the mission through prayer, advocacy, or financial sponsorship. Your financial gift to Heart of Mercy Mission will support our work around the globe helping women facing tragic life situations. https://www.heartofmercymission.org/donate

 Monthly support needed for one client:

- food: $50/month - minimum of 5 months;

- counseling:  $50/session – minimum 8 sessions but many need constant support;

- medical needs: $250/person - one time;

- group counseling; and

- recommendation for life skills training to help her support herself

 Please pray for:

- the marginalized women around the world and in our programs who experience poverty, rejection from community, trafficking, grief, and trauma.

- the staff who faithfully minister in our programs.

- financial needs to be met for the work to continue.

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Photo by Michael Umoh on Unsplash 

Photo by Anil Reddy on Unsplash 

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