Then said Jesus, 'Father, forgive them.' Luke 23:34

Stephen, the first man we know about who was killed because he was a follower of Jesus, prayed for the people who stoned him to death.

'Lord, do not lay this sin to their charge,' he asked God. How like Jesus, Who prayed for His murderers. 'Father, forgive them. For they do not know what they do.'

In the years and centuries since Stephen's death, many missionaries were put to death by people who did not want to hear about Jesus. But other missionaries have followed them because they are sure that God loves everybody, even murderers.

Prayer: Loving Father, help me to be brave in telling others about Jesus. Amen.