Prayed for

 March 30, 2021

“And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”” —Luke 22:31-32 NKJV

O my soul, do you see the significance of these words? As the old gospel song says, “Jesus knows our every weakness.” The Scriptures here depart from the song, for it is not we who “take it to the Lord in prayer,” but Jesus who prays for us. Jesus is not unaware of the trials we face, nor of the power of the Enemy, but he has prayed for us. Like Peter, we may boast and brag, only to deny him, but Jesus has prayed for us. It may seem that our faith has failed; we have wept bitter tears of regret, but Jesus has prayed for us. We are being sifted, crushed to powder. Can it possibly be that the Father has not heard nor answered those prayers of his beloved Son? Unthinkable! Jesus has prayed for us. Satan has asked in vain. Jesus has prayed for us. 

Others are enduring similar trials. Jesus has prayed for them, too. His victory is sure, even when we fall away and imagine there is no hope for us. He doesn’t say to Peter, “IF you return to me,” but “WHEN you return to me.” And when we do, he doesn’t take us back reluctantly, testing us before trusting us. No, he gives us a job to do, taking our experience of failure and using it to encourage and strengthen our brothers and sisters.

Take heart, O my soul! Our Lord and Savior has prayed for you. The Father hears and heeds his Son. You have a home in the heart of Jesus, who prays for you.