Saul to Paul because of one Diligent prayer– Acts 8

The name of Saul first appears in Acts 8:1 where he is found witnessing Stephen’s death. The previous chapter talks about how Stephen stood before the Sanhedrin and gave a long speech about who the real Messiah is. When Stephen saw the vision of Jesus standing next to God, the people could no longer bear it. They dragged him out and stoned him to death. Knowingly or unknowingly, they put their clothes under the feet of Saul who was watching over the whole incident.

Even at his last moments of pain, Stephen still prayed the prayer of Jesus Christ at the cross of Calvary (Luke 23:34). When they found that Stephen is dead, the entire Sanhedrin sighed a breath of relief. They were proud about the accomplishment of bringing the spreading of Gospel to an end. But little did they know that Stephen’s last minute prayer changed the history of the early Church of God. His powerful intercession and sacrifice had to move God and the Heavens took notice of it. God’s eyes fell on Saul, the person who witnessed the death of Stephen the great Martyr.

Later if you read in chapter 9, the Bible says “Saul was still breathing out murderous threats…” and initiated another attempt to kill the ministers of God in Damascus. Then a series of events took place on his way to Damascus and Saul gave his life to the Lord and was transformed to a new creation named Paul.

Diligent prayers are powerful…they may not be long with fancy words and adoration. But it attracts the attention of God and He is sure to answer our prayers. We may think God left the prayer unattended because He didn’t magically make Stephen disappear or miraculously help Stephen bear the stoning. Stephen had to die as a Martyr, but his sacrifice sprouted a new revival in the form of Paul who, the Bible, says, “And Saul was there giving approval to his (Stephen) death”.

Lord Jesus, help us understand the power of diligent prayers. You can never forsake honest prayers and that you will surely answer it in some way or the other. Give us the attitude of Stephen to forgive others who are persecuting us so that at least one among the persecutors would become a mighty source of your gospel. Amen