Outside the Norm

Wow! What a simple yet complex concept. I'm sure most of us either have prayed The Lord's Prayer before..."forgive us our tresspasses as we forgive those who tresspass against us." I never thought that there might be a third step in the process.

Stephen's death mirrors Christ's death in many ways. Since every Christians goal is be more Christlike maybe Stephen is a wonderful example of living that Christlike-ness is our daily lives.

From today going forward I am going to incorporate this 3 step forgiveness prayer into my own morning prayers.

Stephen does offer me a lot of good examples on how to walk intimately with God and to forgive others. What I like most is that he never saw himself as a victim. When you take the focus off yourself and give it over completely to God, I think it's easier to forgive. I oftentimes stay so consumed over the hurt or maltreatment that I overlook the fact that I need to not only ask for forgiveness but also, ask God to forgive.

Talk about Christ-like-ness!!! We can never think we have reached the ultimate in our Christian walk, because there is always another dimension to go in God, such as how much of him we want to emulate and exemplify. The story of Steven is a clear indication of wanting and attaining more of God. Steven was so close to God that he was able to see Jesus standing at the right hand of God...WOW!!!!

I love it,and as such, i am wanting and panting more after my God, so that in the face of adversity, instead and being angry and wanting to retaliate, i will have the peace of Christ and hence be able to forgive and request of my God to forgive them as well.

I agree with Mike that it reminds me of when Jesus said Father forgive them on the cross.

This is a very powerful idea, and while it is "counter-culture" or against human nature to even forgive by ourselves - wow, what a concept to ask God to forgive the one or ones whom we are trying to forgive. I have prayed for God to help me forgive, and a few times He is the only one who could give me strength to give it, but I'm embarrased to admit I've never prayed for Him to forgive someone as well as helping me do so. But it makes so much sense! I can't wait to add this to my own prayers. How amazing (thank you God and Tami) that the gift of forgiveness was something I put on my Facebook profile yesterday, and then today's reading and your comment, Tami, add to something I was mulling over. All praises to our Heavenly Father, and thank you, Tami, for letting him use you and your gifts to help others. Bless you.
Michelle

Wowsers! A lesson on Forgiving others and asking God to forgive them! I need this so badly.

Constant communication with the Almighty is one practice that will help bigtime.

Stephen's life is the exact replica of that of Jesus'. He had a one track mind--that was to spread the Gospel to every nation, no matter what. I mean, really, look at what they did to Jesus and he still pressed his way. Stephen among other characters in the Bible, is a great example of the strength, struggle, courage, it takes to be a TRUE disciple of the Annointed One! If Jesus had to go through it, one who knew no sin, than what makes me think I do not have to go through it as well. God did not spare is Son so he will not spare me, this walk as a Christian is NOT FOR WIMPS!

I even learned something in what I just said! How dare I get all upset when others hurt me and act like I do not want to forgive? What's my problem? Jesus forgave, why? Because he understood that when you are in darkness (ignorance) you will make mistakes (hence, the crucifixtion, he was falsely accused because of ignorance). So, another way to practice asking God to forgive others is to remember how he forgave us when we were "Crucifying Him all over again in our ignorace!" Powerful!

Just keep saying, "God forgive them for they know not what they do," just as Jesus said before he gave up the ghost. He let go of the ghost of the grudge that he could have kept. We, too, must give up the ghost (so to speak)of our grudges we hold against others.

Practice humility, look within, and when you see that you, too, have done things out of ignorance, you are then filled with compassion for the other, and can go to God and ask them to forgive you and the other person. This takes discipline.

Press on Folks! Remember this walk is not for wimps! lol

This is a great example of what forgiveness really is. Jesus says in Mat 6:14,15 "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses"

The term "forgiveness" nowadays means "I forgive you, but I'll never forget". But here we see the true meaning and extent of forgiveness.

One of the things I pray about often, is asking God for His strength that in my life I will never ever deny Him no matter what the consequence. I pray for strength, because only He can give me that strength. I am sure Peter never thought he would deny knowing His Lord and Saviour Jesus but it happened.

Jesus taught us how to pray and forginess plays an imporant role in our Lord's Prayer. It's in the prayer because we have to forgive and confess our sins before we can walk with God and receive His blessings.

Both Jesus and Stephen while they were in pain and dying, cried out to our God. In Jesus's case "Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do"-Luke 23:34 (KJV) and Stephen, " Lord lay not this sin to their charge" Acts 7:60 (KJV). Who then are we, not to forgive someone who has hurt us. When we forgive we should also lift them up to the Lord and ask Him to forgive them. We never know, forgiving that person may bring them to the Lord. So whatever we do never show any negativity to anyone we come into contact, instead our aim should be to bring them closer to God. God will help us through, so as we rise in the morning just ask Him to be in our plans for the day, and in whatever we may do or say. May His Word be a lamp to our feet and a light to our path always. Thanks to all of you who have shared your thoughts here today and everyday.

It seems to me that Stephen was seeing as God sees at that moment. Perhaps we need to pray also to see beyond the problem, and beyond ourselves, into the heart of the person with the eyes of God.

Jesus and Steven both said forgive them because they had genuine love and concern for the people. Sometimes we only care about how we are being wronged and it is easy to want revenge and be angry. When we learn to put compassion and LOVE ahead of our self maybe we could be more like Steven.

Yet again my sinful self is brought into the light because of God's Word!! I have said the words and prayed the prayer to God that He would help me to forgive .....but I have NOT considered the concept of asking Him to not hold the sin against the one who has wronged me. Here the Word is clear that it is SOOO very important that God's forgiveness is extended to them--that He would not hold their sin against them. I am so thankful for the example that Stephen lived out because of Christ!! How could I have missed so simple a truth?!!! Isn't it interesting that Stephen is not concerned for himself....but for those stoning him....even as Jesus was not concerned for Himself, but for those who were crucifying Him. Oh to have the heart and mind of Christ and live a selfless-love kind of life!

Father, keep chipping away at the sin in my heart and mold me into a vessel of honour for Your Glory.