The seed of the church

Praying in response to Acts 7:54-8:8

Lord of the church,

We praise you that nothing is able to crush your church.  Foes come, Satan rages, your people are persecuted, but the light is not snuffed out.  Your church is not extinguished.

We thank you for the example of Stephen.  For his Spirit filled witness to you, in the face of a hostile and raging crowd.

We thank you for the stories we have heard down through history, and across the world today, of your Spirit filled people continuing to witness to you, even when their lives are under threat.

We are so thankful that nothing can crush your church, because your church is eternal.    The glimpse that Stephen got of heaven thrills us.   Thank you for the sure and certain hope of heaven.  Thank you for the triumphant church, cheering us on.  We look forward to that day, when we too shall be welcomed into their number.

Father,

We are sorry for the many ways in which we fail to bear witness to you.  We back off when we sense that what we are saying is not welcome.  We prefer to save our face and keep our comfort, rather than choosing to take up our cross, and follow after our suffering Saviour. Forgive our sins.  Cleanse us from our unrighteousness.

Glorious God,

Ignite the hope of glory in our souls.  Cause us to long for heaven.  May we drink deeply of your joy, forsaking what this world has to offer, building treasure in heaven. We remember your persecuted people throughout the world today.  Strengthen them in your son Jesus.  Bring his deep joy to them.  Enable them to love their enemies.  May they witness bear much fruit for you.

In the name of our sure and certain hope we pray,

Amen.

And the quote from John Piper

‘We have taken our eyes off the Celestial City and the deep pleasure of knowing God and of denying ourselves the lesser things, that titillate for a moment but then shrink our capacities for great joy.'