A Prayer for the One Shrinking Back from Showing Hospitality - Your Daily Prayer - May 17

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A Prayer for the One Shrinking Back from Showing Hospitality
By Sophia Bricker 

Bible Reading:
“Don’t neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2, CSB).

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It was a warm summer evening. The grass was soft under our bare feet as my sister and I paused to gaze into the side yard, hoping to see any rabbits running in the late afternoon. We often did this to catch a glimpse of the animals, watching their sleek bodies race through the grass. But today, we saw no rabbits; only a neighbor emerging from her house holding a foil-wrapped bundle. 

“You girls probably don’t remember me, but I met you when you were this tall,” our new neighbor said, holding her hand to her side for reference. We laughed because we were no longer small children, but young teenagers.

“Anyway, I thought I would bring you this.” She extended the gift to us, and we received it politely. “It’s pineapple upside-down cake.”

A seemingly small gesture of kindness, of one person reaching out to others in generous hospitality. Yet in that act of sharing a delicious cake, we quickly became friends. My sister and I would stop regularly whenever we were outside to talk to our neighbor. We bonded quickly through our love of books and dogs, especially since she adored our Beagle-Scottish terrier mix. Even today, numerous years later, we enjoy staying in touch with our neighbor. A simple act of welcome had a lifetime worth of effects. 

Despite the impact hospitality can have on others' lives, we are often reluctant to welcome them. And this is understandable given the costliness of hospitality. It is risky to step out into the unknown and welcome a stranger: the act can cost time, money, and even emotional injury if we are misunderstood or rejected. Christlike welcome of others, though, is what Scripture calls us to do; not because we must as a checklist obligation, but because doing so reflects the heart of our Savior who lovingly bids us to come to Him despite our brokenness and sin.

Today’s passage provides an additional reason for extending hospitality to others–the possibility of entertaining someone you did not expect. In the Old Testament, Abraham and Lot welcomed angels into their homes (Genesis 18:1-8; 19:1-3). And, in the case of Abraham, at least one of the strangers seemed to be the Lord God. The writer of Hebrews had these events in mind when he urged his readers to invite strangers into their homes (Hebrews 13:2). 

Of course, Jesus added another layer to our welcome. In the Parable of the Sheep and Goats, He explained that whatever we do for “the least of these,” we do for Him (see Matthew 25:37-40). Whenever we welcome a stranger, invite the lonely into our sphere of friendship, or warmly greet a new neighbor with a gift, we are showing hospitality to the Lord Jesus.

So, if we are hesitant to reach out in the way the Lord has placed upon our hearts, afraid of how the other person will respond, or wary of the cost, let us remember the One we serve. The impact we could have is not only one of friendship or the opportunity to bless another's life, but also an act that affects eternity. As our Savior said to those who fed the hungry, clothed the naked, and invited the stranger: “Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world” (Matthew 25:34, NIV).     

Let’s Pray:

Lord, there is no one as hospitable as You. While we were still sinners, You died for us, saving us and welcoming us despite our brokenness. Help us to extend that same hospitality to others, knowing that when we invite the stranger, we are inviting You, Jesus.

Give us the courage to extend welcome when we are afraid of the risk or believe it is too costly in the moment. We do not want to shrink back from serving You and loving others in a way that magnifies Your love. Work through us, O Lord, and help us become people of welcome.

In Your name, we pray, Amen.

Share your reflections on today’s devotional in the Your Daily Prayer discussion on the Crosswalk Forum.

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/belchonock 

Sophia Bricker is a writer. Her mission is to help others grow in their relationship with Jesus through thoughtful articles, devotionals, and stories. She completed a BA and MA in Christian ministry which included extensive study of the Bible and theology, as well as an MFA in creative writing. You can read her thoughts about literature and faith at The Cross, a Pen, and a Page Substack, or visit the discipleship-based site  Cultivate, where she writes with her sister.

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