“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32 NIV
They gathered together to have the Passover remembrance meal. The disciples could feel something a little different, but they didn’t know what it was. Jesus was doing things differently. When he broke the bread and shared the wine, He changed it. The people of Israel, ever since the original Passover when they were delivered from slavery, observed Passover in honor of their deliverance. Jesus said from this night forward, to do it in remembrance of Him. What?
He said something else strange. He said one of them was going to betray Him. What could He mean? Who could it be? He was setting up a Kingdom. Who would leave Him? And then a bigger question – who would be the greatest in that Kingdom? They actively got into an argument about it, and Jesus interrupted them. He commended them for standing with Him in His trials and told them there was a place for everyone in His Kingdom. He turned to Peter and spoke directly to him about the challenge ahead of him. “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.”
Wow. What a thought. He has attracted the attention of Satan. That had to have been frightening and intimidating. But then the better word. Jesus has prayed for him. That thought is almost too much to take. Jesus, the King, has prayed for ME. Can you imagine that? Then this faithful Jesus not only prayed for Peter, but He also prayed with great faith and vision for Peter. He knew that Peter had flaws, and he would fail. But He prayed that his faith would not be destroyed. With prophetic vision, Jesus saw that Peter would make it through and he would be the one who would strengthen his brothers. And he did. Peter was the original champion and faithful leader of the early church.
We all know today that we have an enemy. We know that Satan has us in his sights. But here’s the overwhelming and overcoming truth: Jesus has prayed for us. He prays for us now! He has faith FOR us and IN us. He Himself is faithful to us. “Christ Jesus who died – more than that, who was raised to life – is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us” (Romans 8:34 NIV). His faithfulness is my strength.
- You know how empowering it is to have friends pray for you. Think about it! Jesus, the friend of sinners, the friend who sticks closer than a brother, is faithfully praying for you!