08/26/2026

Wednesday Prayer Service

Acts 6 shows us that a growing church is not a problem-free church, but it is a church that faces its problems without losing sight of its mission. When widows were overlooked, the apostles protected the ministry of the Word while raising up Spirit-filled believers to meet the need, because ministry was never supposed to be carried by only a handful of people. Stephen then reminds us that faithfulness does not always make life easier, but when we serve where God places us, speak the truth with grace, and remain steady under pressure, God can use an ordinary believer in extraordinary ways.

The church was growing, but that growth brought new problems. Why do we sometimes assume that problems automatically mean something is unhealthy?

Why do you think the church looked for people who were full of the Spirit and wisdom to handle something as practical as distributing food?

Stephen was faithful in an ordinary responsibility before God used him in a more public way. What does that teach us about how God prepares and uses people?

When Stephen’s opponents could not defeat his message, they attacked his character. How should a Christian respond when someone misrepresents their words or motives?

What does this passage teach us about the danger of expecting a pastor or a small group of leaders to do all the ministry of the church?

Which qualification in verse 3—good reputation, spiritual maturity, or wisdom—do you believe is most often overlooked today? Why?

Where are you most tempted to protect your comfort, reputation, or preferences instead of simply being faithful to Christ?

As we pray tonight, we are going to ask God to make us the kind of church that sees people, shares the ministry, protects the gospel, and remains faithful when following Jesus becomes difficult.

Upward: Focusing on Who God Is

Listen again to Acts 6:7:

“And the word of God continued to increase, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem.”

The church faced a serious problem, but God was still at work. The needs were real, the tension was real, and the opposition was real, but none of those things stopped God from building His church.

God is not intimidated by the problems we face. He is not overwhelmed by our limitations. He is not sitting in heaven wondering how He is going to keep His mission moving forward.

Tonight, let’s begin by praising God for who He is.

Praise Him because He builds His church.

Praise Him because His Word is powerful.

Praise Him because He sees the people others overlook.

Praise Him because He gives wisdom when we do not know what to do.

Praise Him because He remains sovereign when His people face opposition.

Take a few moments and praise God for His character and His faithfulness.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, we worship You tonight because You are sovereign over Your church and Your mission. You see every need, You know every burden, and You are never confused about what needs to happen next. Thank You that the success of Your church does not depend upon our strength, our wisdom, or our ability to keep everything under control. Your Word is powerful, Your Spirit is present, and Your purposes cannot be stopped. We praise You because You are faithful in every season.

Downward: Examining Our Own Hearts

Acts 6:3 says:

“Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom.”

The apostles did not merely look for seven warm bodies who had some free time. They looked for people whose character could be trusted, whose lives showed evidence of the Holy Spirit, and who possessed the wisdom necessary to serve people well.

That forces us to examine our own hearts.

Are we becoming people who can be trusted with ministry?

Are we more interested in being noticed than being faithful?

Have we convinced ourselves that certain acts of service are beneath us?

Are we willing to meet a need when there is no recognition attached to it?

Are we relying upon the Holy Spirit, or are we attempting to live the Christian life in our own strength?

Tonight, let’s ask God to search our hearts. Let’s confess where pride, selfishness, bitterness, or spiritual laziness have kept us from serving faithfully.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, we confess that we sometimes want important assignments more than we want to be faithful servants. We want recognition, but we do not always want responsibility. We notice needs and assume somebody else will take care of them. Forgive us for the times we have allowed pride, inconvenience, or personal preference to keep us from serving people You love.

Make us people of godly character. Fill us with Your Spirit and give us wisdom. Teach us to be faithful in the places where You have put us, even when the work feels ordinary and nobody seems to notice. Remind us that nothing done for Your glory and the good of others is insignificant.

Inward: Praying for Our Church Family

Acts 6 begins with widows being neglected in the daily distribution. The problem may not have been intentional, but the pain was real. People within the church were hurting, and something needed to change.

The apostles did not dismiss the concern or pretend that everything was fine. They listened, protected the unity of the church, and made sure the need was addressed. They understood that preaching the gospel and caring for people were never supposed to compete with one another.

Church family, there are people around us carrying needs that we may not see.

Some are grieving. Some are lonely. Some are exhausted from caring for family members. Some are facing financial pressure. Some are walking through health problems. Some may sit near us every week while quietly wondering whether anybody notices what they are going through.

Let’s pray that God would help Cedar Bay remain a church where people are seen, loved, and cared for.

Pray for those within our church who are hurting.

Pray for those who may feel forgotten or overlooked.

Pray for our pastors, deacons, ministry leaders, and volunteers.

Pray that God would raise up more Spirit-filled servants.

Pray that we would protect the unity of the church while meeting real needs with wisdom and compassion.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, thank You for the church family You have given us. Help us never become so busy doing church that we fail to notice the people who make up the church. Open our eyes to those who are hurting, lonely, overwhelmed, or in need. Give us compassionate hearts and willing hands.

We pray for the leaders of our church. Guard their hearts, strengthen their families, and give them wisdom. Protect the time they need for prayer and the ministry of the Word. Raise up faithful men and women who will share the work of ministry and serve without needing applause.

Give Cedar Bay genuine unity. Do not allow preferences, misunderstandings, or personal offenses to distract us from the mission You have given us. Make us a church where the gospel is faithfully proclaimed and where the love of Christ is visibly demonstrated.

Outward: Praying for Courage and Faithfulness

Acts 6:10 tells us that Stephen’s opponents:

“Could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking.”

Stephen spoke truthfully, wisely, and under the power of the Holy Spirit. Yet the people listening to him did not repent. Instead, they spread lies, stirred up the crowd, and dragged him before the council.

Stephen reminds us that faithfulness does not guarantee approval. Sometimes you can say the right thing in the right way and people will still reject it. Our responsibility is not to control the response. Our responsibility is to remain faithful to Christ.

Tonight, let’s pray for courage.

Pray that we would speak the truth with wisdom and grace.

Pray that we would not remain silent because we are afraid of what people might think.

Pray for Christians who are facing genuine persecution around the world.

Pray that our lives would point people toward Jesus even when we are misunderstood.

Pray for those in our community who do not yet know Christ.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, give us the courage to speak faithfully about Jesus. Keep us from becoming angry, defensive, or cruel when people disagree with us. Help us never use the spirit of the world while claiming to do the work of Christ.

Fill us with the same Holy Spirit who filled Stephen. Give us wisdom for difficult conversations and grace toward those who oppose us. When we are misunderstood, help us remain steady. When our motives are questioned, guard us from bitterness. When faithfulness becomes costly, remind us that Jesus is worth it.

We pray for those in our community who do not know Christ. Open their hearts to the gospel. Give us opportunities to speak, the wisdom to know what to say, and the courage to say it. Use our words, our service, and our response to difficulty to point people toward Jesus.

Thanksgiving: Thanking God for Ordinary Faithfulness

Acts 6:15 says:

“And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.”

Stephen could not control the accusations against him, but he could remain faithful to the Christ who had saved him. The pressure did not create Stephen’s faith; it revealed it. The presence of God was visible in the life of an ordinary believer who had surrendered himself completely to Jesus.

As we close tonight, let’s thank God that He still uses ordinary people.

Thank Him for every person who serves without recognition.

Thank Him for those who pray faithfully.

Thank Him for those who teach His Word.

Thank Him for those who care for people who might otherwise be overlooked.

Thank Him for the grace that allows us to remain faithful when life becomes difficult.

(Allow time for prayer.)

Father, thank You for using ordinary people to accomplish Your purposes. Thank You for every servant who gives, prays, teaches, encourages, visits, prepares, cleans, leads, and cares for others without needing recognition. Thank You that no act of faithfulness is ever wasted in Your hands.

Thank You for the example of Stephen. His circumstances were difficult, but Your presence was greater than the pressure surrounding him. Help us keep our eyes fixed on Jesus so that our lives reflect Your grace when life does not go the way we expected.

May Your Word continue to increase. May disciples continue to multiply. May needs be met, may unity be protected, and may Jesus be made known through Cedar Bay Baptist Church.

In Jesus’ name,

Amen.