I have prayed for you! Simon Peter must have heard this after he denied Jesus those three times. Satan seeks to sift us, but because of Jesus we have a survival story.

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We’re not going to survive this, we’re going to thrive in this. Because of Jesus we have a survival story. While you’re feeling like you’re barely surviving, there is a great and merciful high priest that prays for us.

Luke 22:31-32
And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon, behold Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat; But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not; and when you are converted, strengthen thy brethren.

In Luke 22:28, Jesus commended the disciples who had continued with Him. In life, we will meet obstacles and opposition. Spiritual opposition is a sign that you are continuing with Jesus and the enemy has aught against you. Taking on the flesh and blood of Jesus will carry us through the wilderness and temptation. We must continue with Him through the trials. Stay with Him through it all! We can take hold of a faithfulness through the strength of Jesus.

Verse 29 and 30 promises there’s a reward of citizenship in God’s kingdom. There is more to gain if we don’t give up. There is a reward for our faithfulness. We are invited to eat and drink at the table of the King. We aren’t worthy, but there is an immense amount of grace that places us at that table as heirs to the kingdom. There is too much to gain to give up.

Revelation 3:21
To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.

Beware, for there is a devil that wants to disqualify you. The enemy will attack your weaknesses from your old nature. Don’t get so caught up in your spirituality and forget about your carnality. The enemy will survey your weaknesses. Guard your heart, mind, eyes, ears, mouth. Keep your eyes open. The world tries to tell you the enemy doesn’t exist. These threats will be disguised and hidden, so we must keep ours open. We don’t have to be blindsided by the bold plan of the enemy to overtake you.

God knows more about us than we know about ourselves. God allowed the enemy to test Job because God knew Job would not turn away for Him. Job was tested in his family, his body, his wealth. Job never charged God with abandoning him. He declared he would serve God through troubles. Job knew God was his champion through all. Jesus warned Simon in verse 31 that Satan wants to agitate, shake, and push you to a breaking point.  God will not forsake us in the sifting.

Verse 32 declares Jesus prays for us! No matter the plans of Satan they are not greater than the prayer of Jesus. God is aware of all that will come our direction. All has already been prayed over and covered by the grace and mercy of our great God. No matter how we may injure Jesus by failing Him, He will never stop praying for us. Through this we will come through it stronger and more faithful. This verse promises we will get through the attempts of the enemy to sift us.

I have prayed for you! Simon Peter must have heard this after he denied Jesus those three times. Satan must have tried to tell Peter he had failed Jesus. But Peter heard Jesus profess, I have prayed for you. Peter temporarily felt he could not continue as a teacher of what he had learned from Jesus. Jesus sought him out and showed him once again that He has already made provision and prepared a way for him and for us with the command to feed and teach and guide His people.