Devotion: Steven's Prayer

Stephen was a devoted Christ follower who modeled Christ in his life and in his prayers. His prayer as he was being martyred provides us with powerful instruction and inspiration as we seek to go deeper with Christ through the precious gift of prayer.  Stephen was one of seven Hellenistic Jews chosen to serve widows so the apostles could focus on their top two priorities, prayer and ministering God’s word. (Acts 6:4)  Stephen’s character, witness, and strong faith through trials suggest that he prioritized prayer and God’s word above everything else as well.  When these priorities were kept in order, just as Jesus modeled, the Word of God spread and the number of Christ followers multiplied. (Acts 6:7)  

Ask yourself:  How is God’s word spreading through me to build His kingdom?  Are prayer and God’s word my top priorities? 

Stephen was full of faith, the Holy Spirit, grace, and power, which enabled him to perform great signs and wonders. (Acts 6: 5 and 8) He was bold, articulate, and faithful to share God’s truth, yet religious leaders and the mobs they incited rejected him, falsely accused him of blasphemy, seized him, and brought him before the council. When tested, Stephen quoted the Old Testament as his defense and drew upon God’s words for strength. When giving testimony, Stephen declared Jesus as the promised Messiah.  In all these ways, Stephen followed Christ’s example. (Matthew 4:1-11, John 18)  

Ask yourself:  Do I seek to imitate Christ as Stephen did? (Ephesians 5:1)

Stephen prayed throughout his trial. Everyone seated in the council “saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:15) The palpable presence of the Holy Spirit upon Stephen should have reminded his religious accusers how Moses’ face shown after talking with God. (Exodus 34:29-30)  When Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James, and John, “His face shone like the sun.”(Matthew 17:2).  Similarly, when we are filled with the Spirit and meet with the Almighty in focused prayer, we too shall reflect His glory, (2 Corinthians 4:6). 

Ask yourself:  Do I seek His presence through prayer and let His light shine through me into the darkness to reach the lost?

When Stephen’s accusers came after him with gnashed teeth, “He, full of the Spirit, gazed into Heaven and saw the glory of God and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” (Acts 7:55) In the day of Isaiah’s sorrow, he too looked to God for comfort, and then he saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up. (Isaiah 6:1) Indeed, God has promised, “You will seek me and find me, when you seek me with all your heart.” (Jeremiah 29:13) 

Ask yourself:  Am I continually seeking Him and His glory? Am I ready to face persecution without fear of man?

As stones violently assaulted him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” These words echo Jesus’s final words recorded in Luke 23:46. Before taking his last breath, Stephen recalled Jesus’ mercy on the cross as He said through his agony, “Father forgive them, for they know not what they do,” (Luke 23:34). Faithful to follow Christ’s example to the end, Stephen’s last words were also a loud plea that God would forgive his tormenters (Acts 7:60). Then Stephen entered the full presence of the Lord. (Luke 23:32, 2 Corinthians 5:8, Philippians 1:21-23)  

Ask yourself:  Am I willing to follow Christ’s example, even to a martyr’s death?  Does concern for lost souls compel me to forgive my enemies?

God promises to work all things together for good and for His glory. (Romans 8:28) Stephen’s death sparked persecution of Christ followers, but that persecution scattered the apostles. As missionaries and refugees, they took the Gospel to Jews as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch where many believed. (Acts 11:19-21). Saul never forgot Stephen’s prayers or the way he faced death with joy and courage. (Acts 22:20) Stephen’s example was a powerful influence for Paul’s conversion and ministry which took the Gospel to the Gentiles throughout the Mediterranean region.

Stephen lived a life of constant prayer, according to Christ’s example, and for God’s glory. He found all his satisfaction, strength, and hope in God. So when he faced martyrdom, he could do so gladly in a way that glorified God and pointed others to Jesus. As Francis Chan wrote in Crazy Love, “The point of your life is to point to Him. Whatever you are doing, God wants to be glorified, because this whole thing is His.”  

Ask yourself:  Am I living only for God’s glory, or am I also trying to bring glory to myself, my spouse, or my children? 

When we trust only in Jesus and keep our eyes on Him instead of our circumstances, we too can face the worst trials with joy and hope, drawing power and wisdom from Him to respond in a way that brings God the most glory and draws others to Him.  If we want to shine for Jesus in this dark world through every trial, then let us treasure communion with God as our greatest priority. May we be faithful to listen, to pray as Jesus taught us, to believe His promises, and to study and apply His holy word, all in pursuit of His glory alone.