Today’s Scripture reading is Acts 7:57-60.
Verse 60, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge."
How could Stephen offer such a prayer to God? How could he offer forgiveness to those who killed him? As our devotional stated, this is only by the grace of God. God's grace is still available today. We need grace for our salvation and we need it for the Christian life. Can you forgive someone who has mistreated you? Yes, by God's grace you can. Can you forgive someone who rejected you? Yes, by God's grace you can. The grace of God can enable us to offer forgiveness to anyone. The key is, are we willing to forgive? Are you willing to release the individual you are thinking of right now? I am fairly confident that no one reading this faced what Stephen faced in the verses we read. Yet, he was able to ask God for their forgiveness.
Forgiveness benefits the one offering it almost as much as the one it is being offered to. Always be willing to forgive!