That the weak be tested until only the strongest remain

That only the visible and important people matter

That a few losses are acceptable if the rest stay safe

Notice, include, and protect people who might otherwise slip through the cracks

Wait until someone proves they matter before investing attention

Focus your care only on those who are already strong and visible

Accept that some people will be lost as long as the larger group stays intact

If you would like to receive Jesus, pray this with me: Lord Jesus, I admit that I have sinned and I need your mercy. I believe you died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and confess you as Lord. Please rescue me when I am lost, keep me as your own, and lead me in your care. Amen.

Do Not Let Me Be Lost

Father, revive your church to share your heart for the small, the overlooked, and the easily lost. Break our indifference, give us tenderness, and make us faithful to seek and keep people in your care, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Church That Seeks the Small

Father in heaven, thank you that your desire is not for any vulnerable person to be lost. Thank you that your care reaches the ones others may miss. Teach us to trust your heart, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Thank You for Your Tender Care

Lord, protect those who are fragile, lonely, or at risk of being overlooked. Put your keeping hand on children, new believers, the wounded, and anyone who feels small, in the name of Jesus. Amen.

Guard the Vulnerable

Begin by naming one person you may have missed. Ask God to let you see them as he does, to soften your heart, and to show you one practical way to care for them today.

Learn to Notice the Small

Pray for: people who feel forgotten or unsafe; a church family that notices the vulnerable; courage to act when someone seems close to being lost.

Bring the Overlooked Before God

οὕτως{OO-tos###OO-tohs###thus} οὐκ{ook###ook###not} ἔστιν{ES-tin###EHS-tin###is} θέλημα{THE-lee-ma###THEH-lee-mah###will} ⸀ἔμπροσθεν{EM-pros-then###EHM-prohs-thehn###before} τοῦ{too###too###the} πατρὸς{pa-TROS###pah-TROHS###Father} ⸀ὑμῶν{hee-MON###hee-MOHN###your} τοῦ{too###too###who is} ἐν{en###ehn###in} οὐρανοῖς{oo-ra-NEES###oo-rah-NEES###heavens} ἵνα{HEE-na###HEE-nah###that} ἀπόληται{a-PO-lee-te###ah-POH-lee-teh###might perish} ⸀ἓν{HEN###HEHN###one} τῶν{TON###TOHN###of the} μικρῶν{mee-KRON###mee-KROHN###little ones} τούτων.{TOO-ton###TOO-tohn###these}

Matthew 18:14 — Audio GuideTAB

More on this verse