Read Acts 7:55-60
[Stephen] kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
- Acts 7:60 (KJV)
When I read the story of how Stephen was cast out of the city and stoned to death because of false testimony brought against him, I often wonder how he could still pray for his killers. Instead of praying that the Lord would stop the stoning,
Stephen asked that their sin not be held against them. I also pause to think: What would have happened if Stephen had never prayed for his killers?
When Stephen prayed to God for mercy for his killers, he prayed for their souls. I believe this compassion for his killers must have been sent from God. When I see and hear of all the evil in the world, I wonder, Do I pray only for the victims or should I pray for the people responsible for the evil?
Stephen’s story reminds us to pray not only for strength and hope for the victims but also for mercy for those responsible for the evil. God sent Jesus to redeem the soul of everyone, so we can pray for each person as a precious creation of God.
Thought for the Day:
Today I can pray for someone who has hurt me.
Prayer: Dear God, fill me with compassion to pray for those who would do me harm. Amen.
Prayer Focus: THOSE PERSECUTED FOR THEIR BELIEFS
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
[Stephen] kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
When I read the story of how Stephen was cast out of the city and stoned to death because of false testimony brought against him, I often wonder how he could still pray for his killers. Instead of praying that the Lord would stop the stoning,
Stephen asked that their sin not be held against them. I also pause to think: What would have happened if Stephen had never prayed for his killers?
When Stephen prayed to God for mercy for his killers, he prayed for their souls. I believe this compassion for his killers must have been sent from God. When I see and hear of all the evil in the world, I wonder, Do I pray only for the victims or should I pray for the people responsible for the evil?
Stephen’s story reminds us to pray not only for strength and hope for the victims but also for mercy for those responsible for the evil. God sent Jesus to redeem the soul of everyone, so we can pray for each person as a precious creation of God.
Thought for the Day:
Today I can pray for someone who has hurt me.
Prayer: Dear God, fill me with compassion to pray for those who would do me harm. Amen.
Prayer Focus: THOSE PERSECUTED FOR THEIR BELIEFS
The scripture quotation, unless otherwise indicated, is from the NEW REVISED STANDARD VERSION of the Bible, copyright © 1989, by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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