Acts 8

Acts 8

This morning was heavy. Lord I went back and forth between noticing the church was scattered and persecution began, following the death of Steven, and seeing for the first time the events that played out with the magician Simon. Honestly, my prayer feels stuck. All I can seem to pray is help us understand. Help us to see there may be persecution as a believer of Christ, but You will keep us and even continue to compel us to speak of Your goodness during the persecution. Lord, I pray also You help us to see the value of the gift of Your Holy Spirit in our lives. I pray our hearts are compelled to live by Your gift, for Your glory and the sake of others. Lord, where bitter jealousy,  places of known sin and pride seem to have a strong hold, please cast Your light on those places and allow us the opportunity to see it, acknowledge it, and turn from it. Lord transform us into the image You have for us. In Jesus' Name, amen.