But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” Acts 7:55-56 (NIV)
Dear Lord Jesus, this vignette from Stephen’s life underscores your tender and tenacious engagement, no matter what we are going through. Just before he was stoned, Stephen saw you standing at the Father’s right hand—rising for the occasion of his greatest need.
Though few of us will be stoned to death as your martyrs, all of us are called to love and serve you in painful chapters of life. Jesus, we too need to see you standing at the Father’s right hand for us.
I pray for pastors’ wives this morning, Jesus. The “stones” hurled at their husbands often land the hardest on their hearts. Bless them with a special sense of your care, Lord. As painful as the unrealistic expectations of ministry can be, may the unlimited resources of the gospel be even sweeter.
For those feeling the pain of fresh betrayals, unplanned for expenses, and medical crises, Jesus, may your sovereignty be more palpable than the heart-discouraging disruptions. You clothe the fields and feed the birds; we trust you for grace perfectly suited for each of these situations.
Jesus, we pray for families dealing with stories of addiction—whether it’s a brand new chapter, crushing the heart of the family; or a new season in a very old, very depleting, very disheartening story—show forth your mercy and your might, Lord. Bring hope to the darkest places where we are called to walk.
Keep us aware and keep us kind, Jesus. May each of us be way more overwhelmed with your glory and grace, than weighed down with the challenges of walking with our friends in some very, very difficult circumstances. So very Amen we pray, in your glorious and grace-full name.