Title: Pray For Each Other/ Topic: Intercession

Today’s Reading: Nehemiah 1; Nehemiah 2; Psalm 133; Luke 22

Scripture: Luke 22:31-34
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."

Observation: Peter thinks his faith is firm and solid. He can't imagine ever disowning the Lord. But Satan has a different plan for Peter. Notice that Satan has to ask permission to test Peter with terrible trials. This should be a clue to us that when we are going through a trial or testing of our faith the first thing we should do is turn to the Lord for strength wisdom and encouragement. If Satan can't touch us unless God gives permission, then we turn to Him to get relief and know how to handle it. Jesus has heard the petition of Satan but has prayed for Peter so that his faith won't fail. But didn't his faith fail? He denied Jesus 3 times during the next 24 hours. Jesus even predicted this. So obviously Jesus didn't consider the denials a total failure of Peter's faith; just a momentary one. Because he had prayed, Jesus knew Peter would turn back to him. The prayers Jesus prayed for Peter were crucial. I'm glad Jesus focuses on how we finish our spiritual race and not all the momentary failures in between.

Application: We need to pray for one another so that we can stand against our powerful adversary. The Lord has overcome the evil one, yet his power is still strong. If Peter needed Jesus to intercede on his behalf in order to turn back to God after his testing, it should speak to us of our need to pray for each other so that we may all stand firm in our faith. We need each other. Let's give ourselves to intercession for one another that we may all stand strong, unified in purpose and power.

Prayer: Father, help me to remember my brothers and sisters and to pray for them more vigilantly. Keep my ears open and sensitive to the prompting of your Spirit as to whom might need special prayer at a particular moment. Give us strength to stand strong against the enemy who would like to sift us all like wheat. And thank you for your grace that forgives momentary lapses and looks at how we finish and the direction we are going in the race of life rather than any failures along the way.
This I pray in Jesus’ name, Amen.