As believers, we all go through a spiritual sifting. These are the moments where God gives and takes away and strengthens our faith so that no matter what, we can remember the sovereignty of who He is.
However, the sifting process can often leave us feeling forgotten and overlooked. But be encouraged; God never forsakes us. In fact, His Son, Jesus, is interceding on our behalf.
God Is Close Through Prayer
“And the Lord said, ‘Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.’”
Luke 22:31-32, NKJV
This passage gives me such encouragement because it is a reminder that God sticks his “but” in my situations. It says that Satan has asked for us by name, but Jesus, through prayer, is interceding on our behalf!
Saints, be encouraged that when God gets involved in our circumstances, something is about to change.
When Jesus Prays
We all have been through difficulties and challenges. And while those situations may have been difficult, we can get through anything knowing that Jesus is praying for us.
There is power in the prayers of Jesus.
He prays for you by name and intercedes on your and your children’s behalf. There is nothing you are walking through that Jesus does not see and will always be faithful to put words to the grievances you have none for.
You can face anything without fear, worry, or burnout because your Savior is praying for you.
The Power & Promise of His Prayer
Have you ever told someone you would pray for them, and a week goes by without you whispering one word on their behalf? I believe so because you are human.
Praise be to God that it is not on us to be the sole intercessors for our family, friends, and neighbors. Even when we forget, Jesus is faithfully seated on the right hand of the Father, speaking on our behalf.
Not only does Jesus hold the power of prayer, but through His death and resurrection, we, too, can approach the throne room of heaven to petition the needs we and our loved ones are facing.
The Promise of His Power Through Us
The devil can take many things, but he can’t stop you from praying.
Among the full armor of God in Ephesians 6:18, we are called to “pray always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”
And even though we are standing in opposition to the devil and his desire to steal, kill, and destroy, Jesus is empowering us through His prayers of petition. The King of Kings is praying about your boldness in life’s circumstances, children, finances, marriage, depression, and career. We can experience joy in mourning because Jesus is praying powerful prayers and promises over us!
Your Faith Will Not Fail
In Luke 22:32, Jesus declares He has prayed for us and that our faith won’t fail.
I remember growing up in church, singing a gospel song called, You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him. The lyrics say:
You can’t make me doubt Him,
You can’t make me doubt Him,
You can’t make me doubt Him in my heart.
Know too much about Him,
Know too much about Him,
Know too much about Him in my heart.
I believe and have seen in my own life that when you encounter Jesus personally, not even the devil can persuade you to question Him ever again.
I have seen Him do too much, and He has shown Himself too real to me for me ever to doubt Him, and I can confidently guess you have, too.
When the devil’s lie threatens to plant a seed of doubt, rebuke it and return to what you know: God’s infallible Word and character, knowing that through His promises and power, our faith can remain steadfast in any trial or storm.
You Will Return
In this passage, Jesus knew that Peter would deny him, and in that moment, Jesus revealed His goodness by promising him that he would return. And the same goes for us, modern-day Peters, who will, at one point or another, deny Jesus as well.
We all have backslidden at some point in our lives. You may be in a season where you have walked away from God, but His eyes are on you, and He is faithful never to leave you.
You see, the devil is notorious for convincing us that we will never find our way back to the heart of the Father, and his tool of choice is shame, lies, and discouragement. Well, I know for a fact that every promise from God will not return void, including the promise of reconciliation over your life and the lives of those you love.
There is a purpose and specific destiny over your life, and it begins with returning to the heart of God.
You Will Strengthen Your Brother
You didn’t get to where you are today without the help of someone else. It may feel as if you have pulled yourself up by your own bootstraps – after all, you have a job, are educated, and have paved the way for a successful life all on your own. However, you didn’t do it alone.
Over the course of your life, someone prayed for you, encouraged you with hope when things felt helpless, and spoke truth to the places where you needed kingdom clarity. And that is who God is calling you to be for other people.
By the power of the Holy Spirit and following Jesus’ example of how to pray, we can trust our faith won’t fail us, return to the heart of the Father, and help others to be who God has called them to be.
Living as disciples does not guarantee a life without pain or frustration, but it does promise that in His power, we are never alone.