Standing in the Gap - Praying for Your Enemies
Acts 7:59-60
They went on stoning Stephen as he called on the Lord and said, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit!” Then falling on his knees, he cried out with a loud voice, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Having said this, he fell asleep.
Last week I introduced a new blog series to you, Standing in the Gap. Simply put, we are charged by the Word of God to pray for one another, to bring others before God, and to stand on their behalf. Thank you to those of you that responded by praying this week for Middle Valley Baptist Church. Keep praying for this church as it sets the course for a new future.
Let's consider another way we can stand in the gap. We can stand in the gap for those who oppose us and consider us enemies. The book of Acts is a story about new beginnings. In Acts 2 we find the birth of the Church. There in Jerusalem, 120 believers, now baptized by and filled with the Holy Spirit, were empowered to share the Gospel of Jesus. And the result was that this new church grew and flourished. And with this growth came attacks from the enemy.
In Acts 7 we are introduced to Stephen, a deacon and a preacher. Acts 7 is an amazing sermon and I encourage you to read through it. As impressive as it is, not everyone approved or agreed with Stephen. In fact, the opposition was so great that Stephen was stoned to death. The new Church was under persecution, life-threatening persecution. But the point today is not the stoning and the persecution; the point today is Stephen’s response just before his death. Acts 7:60 says that Stephen prayed this prayer for those stoning him, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them!” Now let’s be sure we understand what was occurring. Stephen, while dying for his faith in Christ and for his witness to Christ, was praying for those stoning him. In fact, he placed himself between his persecutors and God Himself. Simply put, Stephen was standing in the gap for his persecutors.
Stephen’s actions provide a lesson for us today. We see growing opposition to Jesus Christ, the Word of God, and the Church. We see it in school systems where the enemy is antagonizing Christians and our beliefs. We see it in university settings where Christian teachings are twisted, misused, or completely dismissed. We see that antagonism in the workplace where a person is told they cannot mention their beliefs. And certainly, we see it in the media, reporting about believers from vantage points that are misleading or completely untrue.
Although this opposition feels somewhat new here in America, it has always existed. There are places in our world where Christians have lived secretly and quietly for decades in fear of losing their lives. There are countries where the name of Christ is forbidden and any attempt to share, preach, or teach Jesus would land a person in prison or cause someone to lose their life, much like Stephen.
Persecution has always existed and according to Scripture, it will continue to grow as we await the return of Jesus. Today though, would you consider with me one of the appropriate responses for us as believers? I say one because I believe there are many things we can do. However, for today, let’s consider this question.
Are you praying for your enemies?
Are you standing in the gap between God and those that vehemently oppose God and His Word? Are you taking the time to bring those enemies and opponents directly before God and plead for their salvation?
Are you standing in the gap for your enemies?
Acts 7 ends with Stephen’s death for his faith in Christ. It is a sobering moment for this new Church. It also became the fuel the Holy Spirit used to take the Gospel around the world. And in fact, the church began to grow even more. But there is something for us to consider. Acts 7 ends with Stephen’s death and as Acts 8 begins we are introduced to Saul. Acts 8:1a says, “Saul was in hearty agreement with putting him to death.” Who is Saul? Saul is a religious zealot that opposed Christ and His church. And Saul was on a mission - to harm Christians, to stop believers in Christ, and to crush the Christian movement. In Acts 8:3 the Bible says, “But Saul began ravaging the church, entering house after house, and dragging off men and women, he would put them in prison.” Don’t miss this beautiful turn of events in the life of Saul. This man named Saul is the very one that later met Jesus on the Damascus road, was gloriously saved, and became what some call the greatest Christian to ever live. Oh, and by the way, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, he wrote half of the New Testament!
How did that happen? How did Saul become a Christ follower? There were a few key events and key persons that provide that answer but, for today, one of those was Stephen. Saul was one of those for whom Stephen prayed, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” Saul was one of the very ones for whom Stephen stood in the gap!
Are you standing in the gap for your enemies? Are you standing in the gap for those that hate you, hate your faith, and hate Jesus? Are you taking those to Jesus with a heart of mercy and grace?
Will you join me in standing in the gap today for those that oppose our faith, God’s Word, Jesus Himself, and all we live for?