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“Then Simon answered, ‘Pray to the Lord for me so that nothing you have said may happen to me.’” Acts 8:24
Why didn’t Simon pray for himself? Since he claimed he wanted to be free of bitterness (verse 23). No one could repent for Simon. By asking someone to pray for him, he was effectively avoiding repentance. Peter discerned Simon’s heart wasn’t right before God (verse 21) even though Simon believed and was baptised (verse 13). Once we understand the extent of God’s forgiveness, our response is to repent and our desire is for God to cleanse us from within.