Rock Solid Prayer
Luke 22:31-32 And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
Christ was in His last days with the disciples. He had shared the Passover meal and instituted the Lord’s Supper with them. He had told them of His coming betrayal. The disciples began to speculate who it was; and their talks turned from who was the worst, to who was the greatest. They still were self centered in this great hour. Christ called out Peter in the name he had before he became a disciple (Simon). The emphasis here even seems to state Christ was trying to get Peters attention. Satan had asked to trouble all the disciples, yet special permission was asked for the zealous Peter. Satan can never move without God’s permission, ever.
These would be terrifying words to even the great Peter of this prediction. But Christ immediately assures Peter that He has prayed for Him. Is that not a rock upon which you can stand? Christ knows what you are about to face, He has told you, and yet He has approached His Father in prayer for you. 32 But I have prayed for you. He knows that God is going to allow Satan to trouble you; to tempt you; to cause you pain; to seek to draw your attention away from God. But His prayer is for your faith to not fail; for your faith to grow; and as a result of your troubles, to encourage those around you; strengthen your brethren. Satan always plans to steal your faith, to draw your attention away from God with trouble. God sovereignty allows Him to know Satan’s plans will backfire and your faith can grow as a result of that trouble.
Did you know that you have Christ’s Spirit living inside you praying for you as Christ did for Peter? A member of the Holy Trinity that goes before the Father on your behalf. Romans 8:26 Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. I have days when I just struggle to pray, especially when I have a lot on my mind. The anxieties of the world command my thoughts, and Satan loves to point out my weakness in prayer at that time as a failure. But I rest assured that the Spirit is interceding on my behalf in my times of struggle as in Romans above. These may be special prayers, for He knows my heart, my desire, my trouble that God has allowed. This understanding carries me through and allows me to try and strengthen those around me, with the trouble I face while standing upon my rock of faith.
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