When I first encountered the account of Stephen, the first Christian martyr, I was deeply shaken. I could not comprehend how he could pray for the very people who had gathered to kill him, even to his final breath.
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.” At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. Ac 7:55–60
But soon I came to realize that Stephen’s final moments reflected the very heart of Christ, who sacrificed Himself even for the children who sought to harm Him, and who prayed for their forgiveness to the end.
With the Heavenly Father and Mother, who even now earnestly pray for Their children to repent and be saved, I continue on living each day with hope, and dreaming of the kingdom of heaven.