Neighbour

Lent has coincided with Ramadan this year, which reminded me of the generosity my Muslim friends and neighbours have shown me over the years. Although I’ve lived and worked in the Middle East, my experience of being a student in London jumps to mind. During Ramadan, our Bengali neighbours invited me and all my housemates to their house to break fast with them. They made us feel so welcome in their home and the food was so generous and free flowing.

As we ate, crowded onto sofas, armchairs and dining chairs, we sat and learnt about Bengali food, language and traditions. But we also connected with our neighbours on a brand-new level. And we really started to get to know them.

We live in a world that can leave us feeling disconnected from others, even our closest neighbours. Small things, with very little effort in the grand scheme of things, can help us connect to each other. And, as I’m often reminded when other people are generous towards me, small acts of kindness can make a huge difference to someone’s day.

Prayer:

Pray for opportunities to build deeper connections with your neighbours, celebrating the richness of different cultures, traditions, and faiths. Thank God for the generosity and kindness shown by others and ask for a heart that reflects that same generosity in your own community. Pray that small acts of kindness – whether shared meals, conversations, or gestures of welcome – would break down barriers, foster understanding, and bring light and hope to those around you.

Take a 40acts challenge today:

1. Is there a neighbour that you haven’t introduced yourself to before? Find a way to start a conversation and who knows where this might lead?
2. If you are able, fast your lunch today and donate what you would have spent to a charity/cause close to your heart.
3. Familiarise yourself with helpful resources on how to love neighbours practicing other faiths.