Have you ever heard the phrase, “that escalated quickly”? That happened here in this passage. In one verse Jesus is telling the disciples that they will sit on thrones, and rule, and judge the twelve tribes with Him. The next verse, the Lord says in essence, “Peter, I prayed for you guys, because Satan wants to have you, to sift you like wheat, and have you float away as with the wind.” Then Christ predicts that Peter will deny Him. Notice the dialogue!
Luke 22:29-34 And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me; That ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. 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 thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren. And he said unto him, Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death. And he said, I tell thee, Peter, the cock shall not crow this day, before that thou shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.
The Lord understood an ever important truth: everyone needs someone to pray for them. It doesn’t matter how spiritual. It doesn’t matter how faithful. It doesn’t matter what sacrifice one has made. Everyone needs someone to pray for them. It may be a preacher. It may be a child. It may be a doubter. It may be a soul winner. It may be a spouse. But everyone needs someone to pray for them. I need someone to pray for me. You need someone to pray for you. And someone needs me and you to pray for them. I see three reasons from the Lord’s words that show us why we ought to pray for someone.
Here the Lord Jesus knew of the enormous potential these His men had to make a difference for Him in this world. It was in this context that the Lord tells them He’s praying for them. I’m reminded of the potential the Lord has given each child of God to make a great difference for Him. Our pastor has enormous potential to lead us forward in the vision the Lord has for us. Our children have enormous potential to do great things for God. Our spouse has great potential to make or break our home. Our disciples have potential to do something big for God. But, each need someone to pray for them! Who’d you pray for today?
The Lord understood the potential of His men, but so did Satan. And because of that, Satan would be hard at work trying to sift them (separate them and have them float away) and stifle their potential. He knew Peter’s potential for Pentecost. He knew James potential in Jerusalem. He knew John’s potential as a witness. He knew and He knows! Likewise, He knows the potential of our pastor. He knows the potential of our teenagers. He knows the potential of the preacher boy. He knows the potential of our children. And he’s hard at work trying to ruin that potential. The Lord knew this, and prayed for Peter. Someone needs us to pray for them. Who’d you pray for today?
The Lord didn’t only understand the immediate importance of praying for Peter and the guys. He knew that one day, someone would need them. And so He prayed for them. Why should we pray for the preacher? Because a lot of people need him. Why should we pray for our spouse? Because our children need them. Why should we pray for the teacher? Because there are a bunch of students that need them. Why should we pray for our children? Because there’s a future spouse, future grandchildren, the future of our church, and a future generation that needs them. Why should we pray for that brother or sister in Christ? Because someone is going to need them, and if they fall, that person may not be reached. That person may not be helped. There’s a difference that will not be made. Someone needs us to pray for them because of who will need them some day. Who’d you pray for today?
