The Power of Prayer

In the account of Luke 22:31—32 we are told that Jesus lets Peter in on the fact that Satan has requested permission to examine him in order to see what he is all about (to see if there is more talk or substance) and that Satan has been given permission to do so. But as a source of comfort Jesus tells Peter “I have prayed” for him. 

Does that sound comforting to you? I must honestly tell you that it did not sound very comforting to me when I really started thinking about the arrangement. I would have wanted Jesus to say that He would do more than just pray; I wanted Jesus to just say ‘No!’ “No Satan, you can’t test Peter by deeply challenging him.” Yet, Jesus said all that He needed to say in order to truly comfort and assure Peter. You see what Jesus said is “I have already prayed for you so that your faith will not totally evaporate.”

The use of the past tense in the Greek was a way of saying that something is now firm and set so Jesus’ prayer was already given and the way the statement is written assures us that Jesus’ prayer was heard. Jesus was saying “Peter, you have to go through this testing because it will foster your growth. But I assure you that you will endure all that Satan will throw at you because I have called all the power of God into this situation to keep your faith from fully evaporating when you fail this test. For I assure you Peter that God the Father will do what God the Son asks!”

I want to assure you that Jesus is making this same statement to every one of us today. You see, God will allow each one of us to go through times of deep testing to foster our growth into the image of Christ but we must be assured that His focus is on us and His power is sufficient. He has prayed for us and like His action when Peter started to sink after walking on water Jesus will act to care for us in our time of need (Matthew 14:31).

Remember, we have an open mic service this Sunday so prayerfully consider what the Lord might have you to share with us your church family.

The memory verse for November—“Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart..” 2 Timothy 2:22