Prayers: Stephen, Deacon and First Martyr
26 December
Lord God,
today we commemorate the death of the first Christian martyr, Stephen,
and we remember that, as he was dying, he asked forgiveness of his murderers:
Give us the strength never to be afraid to suffer for the Faith and always to pray for those who hate us.
This we ask in the name of your Son,
Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
God of the Universe,
who gave the first martyr Stephen grace
to pray for those who stoned him:
grant that in all our sufferings for the truth
we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire to hurt us.
We look up to heaven at Jesus
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.
Collect 331
Gracious Father,
who gave the first martyr Stephen grace
to pray for those who stoned him:
grant that in all our sufferings for the truth
we may learn to love even our enemies
and to seek forgiveness for those who desire our hurt,
looking up to heaven to him who was crucified for us,
Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Advocate,
who is alive and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever.