July 12, 2023

“While they were stoning Stephen, he called out, ‘Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!’ He knelt down and cried out with a loud voice, ‘Lord, do not hold this sin against them!’ And after saying this, he fell asleep. Saul agreed with putting him to death.” – Acts 7:59 – 8:1

One of the most difficult things to do is to pray for our enemies. But for most of us, we use the word “enemy” very liberally. We’re usually talking about the neighbor whose dog barks too loud, the former friend who has said horrible things about us, or the person who just cut us off in traffic. We are probably not talking about the person who has thrown us in prison, tortured us, or is about to execute us. However, that kind of prayer is exactly what Stephen prayed. As he was being killed for preaching about Jesus, the very last thing he did was pray for his enemies. And one of those enemies standing there, happy with Stephen’s death, was Saul, who would later become the Apostle Paul.

Every time I read the end of Acts 7 and the beginning of Acts 8, I can’t help but wonder what role Stephen’s prayer may have played in the conversion of Saul (Paul). After Stephen prayed for his enemy, that enemy became the greatest evangelist, church planter, and Christian leader the world has even known. Stephen’s prayer was answered! So, pray for those who you see as enemies. Who knows, that guy who just cut you off in traffic could be the next Billy Graham! God can take the hearts of those who have hurt you and turn them around to do incredible things for his Kingdom…including for you and those you love.

Heavenly Father, help us to no longer see our enemies as enemies. Let us see them as potential brothers and sisters in Christ. Today we lift up all who have hurt us in any way. We pray that You would change our hearts toward them and change their hearts toward You. We ask that relationships be restored, and lives be changed.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon