Who prayed for Saul?

Have you been praying for someone's salvation but it seems like there is no hope of them coming to Christ?

I was thinking about this as I read again the story of Saul. Not only did Saul show no signs of believing in Christ, he was actively trying to crush those that did.

"Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord's disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem."(Acts 9:1-2)

Here's my question: Do you suppose that anyone was praying for him?

The only recorded prayer we have anywhere near Saul occurred at the stoning of Stephen in Acts 7. As he was being stoned to death, Stephen offered this prayer, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them" (vs.60). And we learn in verse 58 that Saul was among the "them" covered by this prayer.

What impact do you suppose this prayer had on Saul? We don't find out at the time but Jesus had already instructed his followers:

"Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44)

I hope that there was someone that acted in obedience to Jesus - not just praying for the persecution to stop, but that Saul would also come to know the Jesus that he was so opposed to. And if you remember the story of Saul, you know that he was dramatically changed! Not only did he no longer persecute Christ-followers, he became one of the most ardent preachers of the gospel in history.

I know many people who prayed for decades for someone and perhaps they never did know for certain that the person of their prayers ever became right with God. Others have seen those prayers answered after a long season of pleading with God.

It may be someone in your family. It may be a boss or a civil leader or news maker you don't even know that seems so openly hostile to your relationship with Jesus. But we are encouraged to pray. We are encouraged to pray for those in leadership over us.

Don't give up. God still answers those prayers. And who knows what that person will do for God's kingdom if they come to know Him?

All joy?

Once again, I've been thinking about suffering. How many people cause it. How many people endure it. How much of it there seems to be. Many people have made some good points in sharing their views about suffering and God's role in it, others have simply used it as an excuse to dismiss God.

This has been forwarded to me several times so let me share it with you. Sometimes it helps to see there may be a purpose in it.

(My apologies to whoever originally created it - I'd give credit if I could but I've not been able to find any source for it. Thank you for depicting it this way.)

Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4 (ASV)

It's Your Love (Hillsong)