A Seed That Keeps Growing

Stephen served faithfully, spoke courageously and forgave those who killed him. As the stones fell he prayed, “Lord, lay not this sin to their charge” (Acts 7:60). Nearby stood a young man named Saul, guarding the garments of those who carried out the execution and consenting to Stephen’s death.

This is Saul’s first appearance in Scripture. He looked like the enemy of the church and the least likely person to become a follower of Jesus. Yet Stephen’s witness and prayer were not wasted. The persecutor would later meet Jesus, become the apostle Paul and carry the gospel to nations.

We do not always see the immediate result of our witness. A conversation may appear forgotten. An invitation may be declined. A prayer may seem unanswered. We may sow faithfully and still see no visible change. But gospel seeds can remain in a heart until God brings the right season for growth.

Prayer is part of that sowing. Some people hesitate to pray because God is sovereign. Yet His sovereignty is not a reason for silence. It means we are speaking to the supreme Ruler of the universe, the One who has authority and power to act. Prayer is not an attempt to control God. It is a child bringing a need to a loving Father and agreeing with His merciful purpose.

Prayer may continue working long after the moment in which it was offered. Daniel prayed and fasted for twenty-one days. When the answer arrived the messenger told him, “From the first day... thy words were heard” (Daniel 10:12). The delay did not mean that God had ignored him. Heaven had heard from the beginning.

Cornelius provides another beautiful picture. He was a Gentile who feared God, prayed continually and gave generously before he understood the full gospel. An angel told him, “Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God” (Acts 10:4). God knew his name, his address and the hour when he prayed.

At the same time that God was directing Cornelius to send for Peter, He was preparing Peter to go. Cornelius could not see both sides of the story but God was working in two places at once. Peter arrived, preached Jesus, the Holy Spirit fell upon the household and they were baptised in the name of the Lord. One man’s faithful prayers became part of a doorway through which the gospel reached the Gentiles.

This is encouraging when we pray for people who seem far from God. We cannot see what the Lord may be arranging, whom He may be preparing or what conversation He may use. God can work in the heart of the person for whom we pray while also preparing a witness to reach them.

Jesus prayed from the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). Just weeks later, Peter preached to people who had rejected and crucified Jesus. They were convicted and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter called them to repent, be baptised in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. About three thousand gladly received the Word and were baptised.

Prayers never die. Revelation pictures the prayers of the saints before God like incense in golden bowls (Revelation 5:8). The lips that first prayed may become silent but the prayer remains known in heaven. Parents may pray for children, believers may intercede for a city and a church may labour for revival without immediately seeing the harvest. God has not forgotten.

Someone prayed before we came to Jesus. Someone may have called our family, neighbourhood or city before God without knowing our names. We are often living in answer to prayers offered by people we never met.

Our responsibility is faithfulness, not control. We sow through words, actions, sacrifice and prayer. Never underestimate what God can do with one act of obedience or one sincere prayer. The person who seems furthest from God may become a powerful disciple and disciple-maker.

Keep sowing. Keep loving. Keep praying. There are no tombstones for prayer. God still hears, the seed still carries life and the harvest may be growing where you cannot yet see it.

TODAY’S RESPONSE
Reconnect with someone you have previously invited or spoken to about Jesus. Show continuing care without pressure.

PRAYER

Lord Jesus, help me sow faithfully even when I cannot see results. Give me love for people who seem far from You and confidence that Your Word will not return empty. In Jesus’ name, amen.