Devotionals

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Jesus Has Prayed For You

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)

Have you ever noticed how, just when you are about to embark on a new task for the Lord, the old 'you' returns. Those struggles in our lives that we thought we had conquered come flooding back and before long, we ask ourselves 'what good am I when I can't even control my anger?' or my 'tongue' or whatever that struggle may be.

For the next three days we are going to look at one of my favourite characters of the New Testament: Peter. He is fascinating because he is so passionate for Christ but yet, resembles the average 'Joe' in the respect of the struggles that he faces.

Peter's name was originally Simon but after he had professed his belief in Jesus, the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matt 16:16), Jesus changed his name to Peter (which means rock). God had changed other people's names throughout scripture. Abram changed to Abraham; Sarai changed to Sarah and Jacob to Israel. Names are given as a prophecy of what will be achieved in the heavenlies. On a by-note here, I truly believe that names are still prophetic and the names that we give our children should be done prayerfully. When I was giving birth to my first daughter, I learned of another mother who had just named her son Demon. The administrator asked her if there had been a spelling mistake, but the mother insisted that the name was what she wanted (although she was going to pronounce it Damon). Can you imagine what that name will do to that child? I dread to think.

Simon was now called Peter but when Jesus addresses him in our scripture reading today, he calls him 'Simon'. By doing this, Jesus is contrasting the difference between his old nature and his new – implying the struggle between the spirit and the flesh. Then he reveals that Satan is trying to sift Peter, but He was praying for Him. Jesus does not promise to rescue Simon from this sifting process. He knows that it will be good for him. It doesn't mean that he will not be any use to the kingdom. In fact, quite the opposite is true. Jesus acknowledges that Peter would fall but in the same breath talks about how Peter would strengthen his brethren when he returns to Him. Imagine that. Jesus still wants to use Peter even though he knows that he's about to deny Him.

As you step out into the will of God for your life, do not be surprised if parts of your old nature try to surface and challenge your new walk. Satan does not want you to succeed. He does not want you to snatch any people from his grasp. But never worry, Jesus is constantly praying for you at the right hand of the father in heaven. He knows that we will go through times when we may fail Him. We may stumble, we may fall. But He knows what He has called you to do and He who begins a good work in us is faithful to complete it (Phil 1:6).

Prayer:
Thank you Lord that you do have a plan for my life. Thank you Lord that when I fall, you are there praying for me and for the task that You have for me to do. Please help me stay on the path that you have chosen for me and if I fall, help me to get back up, dust myself up and continue knowing that You still have the same plan for my life. In Jesus name, Amen.

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