I Prayed For You

In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus tells Peter that Satan has demanded permission to sift Peter like wheat.

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat: but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers, ” (Luke 22:31-32)

I’ve been walking this valley for a year now. I continue to pray. I continue to seek God. My faith is being tested far more than I ever thought I could go. That’s why it’s been so long since I’ve written. I have good days and bad days. I have to keep my eyes on God. If I take them off of Him for any time, I collapse in a heap of hopelessness.

But onto this passage. I read this passage and what stood out to me was verse 32, “but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail…” Jesus is telling Peter, “I have prayed for you.” God has prayed for Peter!

So according to this passage, Satan has asked permission to sift Peter like wheat. He’s going to try Peter. And God in His infinite wisdom and knowledge knows exactly what’s going to happen. He even told Peter.

“And Jesus said to him “Truly I say to you, that this very night, before a rooster crows twice, you yourself will deny Me three times.” (Mark 14:30)

And of course we know the story, Peter does deny Jesus three times. And in dramatic fashion, just as Peter denies Jesus the third time, he hears a rooster crow and Peter sobs.

But God shows His deep, deep love and commitment to His children. “…but I have prayed for you…” Jesus, the God of the Universe, the Creator of all things, the Holy One, the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords says He has prayed for Peter. He’s prayed for him. He knows what Peter is going to do. He knows Peter is going to deny Him, yet He’s prayed for him.

This fact brings me so much encouragement. If God prayed for Peter, He must pray for all of His children. I am His child. That means He prays for me too.

I dwell on this fact. Jesus prays for me. It pulls me out of the miry clay and sets my feet upon a rock. It gives me wings of an eagle-Jesus prays for me.

So Believer, if you are going through a valley right now, remember God prays for you. The King of Kings and the Lord of Lords prays for His children. What an awesome thought!