The Lord's Prayer for Us

Luke 22:31-32 

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift 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.” 

Jesus knows you and I are on Satan's wanted list. He did that with Peter. He will sift you and me. It's not if. It's when. So I understand and believe this is Jesus' prayer for us - His disciples too.

I just love how Eugene Peterson puts it -

31 “Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from me, like chaff from wheat. 32 Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.”

Jesus prayed that our faith will not fail, and this becomes my personal prayer for me too. Our flesh & character may fail, but our faith in Christ must not should not fail. We need an intact faith even when all else is impacted. We need a unfaltering and consistent faith.

It appeared as if Peter's faith had almost failed completely, but there's still the flicker - he jumped into the water and swam ashore to Jesus. It had not died completely. Jesus takes what remains, the embers & breathes new life in Peter. But Peter truly became a changed man after the day of Pentecost, the day he was immersed fully in the Holy Spirit.

Jesus prays for our return to Him after our dismal failures, and this is what I must do too. It is to return to following Jesus rather than following our own ways. At the end of the day, we are not committed to a set of ideals, but to a person, Jesus the Son of God, the Son of Man. 

Jesus expects us to likewise go and strengthen other disciples who are struggling, weakened, discouraged. We can only strengthen others after we have receive strengthening ourselves. It is the God who comforts us so that we can go and comfort others.

Thank you Jesus for your prayer!

And to all of you, have a faith strengthening Sunday wherever you worship!