Quick and Thorough Forgiveness

The prayers for the church that we are considering today are not so much prayers from Paul or Jesus or Stephen interceding, but rather expressions of the attitude of their hearts toward people who have hurt or offended them.

Let’s begin with Jesus’ prayer:

Luke 23:34 ESV

And Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” And they cast lots to divide his garments.

He is on the cross - between two criminals - Jesus offers up this prayer.

Who is Jesus interceding for?

the criminals?

The Romans?

the Jews?

How often in our lives do people hurt us without knowing exactly why they are doing so?

How is Jesus’ prayer a helpful example?

Stephen’s Prayer

In similar fashion to Jesus, Stephen prays for the people who were killing him. Let’s consider a bit of the context.

Acts 7:51–60 ESV

“You stiff-necked people, uncircumcised in heart and ears, you always resist the Holy Spirit. As your fathers did, so do you. Which of the prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.” Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, “Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Why did the people respond with such violence?

Stephen’s accusation?

Stephen’s vision?

Was Stephen correct in his accusation?

Can you think of a time when you were verbally, emotionally, physically, or spiritually attacked because of something you said that was truthful - potentially pointing out a fault or sin in someone else?

how does Stephen’s response challenge or encourage you?

Paul’s Prayer

Where Jesus and Stephen were being attacked by enemies - Paul’s prayer is in response to abandonment.

2 Timothy 4:9–18 ESV

Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

In these verses, Paul goes through a litany of things that have happened to him, people who have abandoned him, and other miscellaneous requests.

What is the focus of his prayer?

may it not be charged against them

What does this communicate about his heart and attitude toward them?

What can we learn from Paul’s prayer? How should we pray for those that seem to abandon or even work against us?