Jason Mitchell once wrote, "The Bible presents active compassion as our way of joining God in the restorative work He's already up to in the world.  Compassion is a gritty, get-your-hands-dirty, put-your-money-where-your-mouth-is response to real human need.  It is fierce and demanding.  It strays out of the realm of passive feelings into full-on engagement with other people.  Compassion requires reaction.  That is what the world needs--our presence as well as our prayers.