Stephen's Prayer Series

Acts 7:54 - 8:3 Stephen's Prayer

1. The Context of his Prayer - praying in Service, (Deacon)

praying in Suffering, (Defence) and praying in Sacrifice (Death)

2. The Content of his Prayer - Praying that the:-

i. Lord might be Revealed - 56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

ii. Labourer might be Released - 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.

iii. Lost might be Reprieved - 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice,

Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

3. The Character of his Prayer -

i. Direct - to the Lord - 59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Acts 12:5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him.

ii. Dependent - through the Spirit - Jude 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost

iii. Defiant - in faith - Mark 11:24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.

4. The Confidence in his Prayer -

55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,

i. His Living - he, being full of the Holy Ghost

ii. His Leading - being full of the Holy Ghost

iii. His Looking - looked up stedfastly into heaven

iv. His Leaning - and saw the glory of God,

5. The Consequence of his Prayer - i.e. Stephen was:-

i. Faithful in death - Rev 2:10 Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

ii. Fearless in death - Stephen’s finest hour was his final hour

iii. Fruitful in death - Acts 7:58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes at a young man's feet, whose name was Saul