And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit. 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.
Stephen’s prayer, that the sin of his murderers not be laid to their charge, reveals the depth of his moral greatness. How close his spirit was to that of Jesus who prayed at his death, “Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” May God help us follow the example of our Lord and the example of those who follow Jesus. Let us pray for the forgiveness of those who trespass against us.
1 minute x 365 days = 1 year of working your way through Bible passages from most NT chapters in chronological order and some from the OT.