Spare a thought

While watching the BBC 24 News channel last evening, it is clear that Woking has had much less snow than many in Britain. The news also shows us events all around the world, which make us realise that other people are facing suffering and disasters which remind us how fortunate we are.
In these situations, we can either feel smug and self-satisfied, or we can feel sympathy. We often remark, 'Spare a thought' for some friend or setting, and hope that it will lead us to be more sympathetic. What might 'Spare a thought' mean for us?
The writer to the Hebrews reminds his audience of their appropriate Christian response to the needs of others. 'Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.' (Hebrews 13.3)
When he repeats the 'Remember those', he is reminding us to pray - to remember before God - and to take action as well if possible. The repeated 'as if you' calls us to enter the experience of others in our imaginations, and to feel what they feel. That then stirs us to our prayers.
The news we receive, both local and global, can be one of our greatest aids to our concerned and committed prayer each day.
Best wishes,
Richard