He Prays for Our Faith
Jesus Foretells Peter's Denial
“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Jesus is about to go to the cross and suffer for all mankind. For the past three years He has had at His side, twelve disciples. One of them (Judas) will betray Him with a kiss, in just a few verses from this one above. In a few more verses from the chapter, Peter will disown his relationship with Christ. He WILL deny the Lord. This is why the above passage is so important to read. The most obvious implication asks, “If Jesus prayed for Peter that His faith would be strengthened, why did he subsequently disown and deny the Lord?” Although the answer to that question might be more complex then this, but perhaps the answer is found not in Peter’s failure but in His subsequent victories in his life. Jesus did not pray that Peter would not fail. Jesus prayed that His faith would be enduring. That is the key to our success in the Christian walk. Enduring faith is guaranteed by the intercession of the Christ who sits at the right hand of God always making intercession for us. Jesus tells Peter, “Satan’ demanded to have you that he might sift you as wheat.” Satan wanted Peter’s soul. Satan only received Peter’s one moment of failure. Why? Because Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith would endure. He prays that our faith will endure.
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