Worshiping Through the Tears

Now that we have seen both sides of the conversation, let us talk briefly about the power of prayer. Prayer is so powerful. Jesus modeled this issue multiple times in the Gospels. In Luke 22:31–32, Jesus prays for Simon Peter.

31And the Lord said, “Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Now, let us take a moment and add context to this powerful declaration Jesus is making to Peter. Here, Jesus is about to reveal to Peter his pending denial. Peter is ready to do whatever it takes for the sake of Jesus, even “both to prison and to death” (v. 33). But this is the amazing part. Not only is Jesus telling Peter what he is about to do, in the previous verses (31–32), Jesus is trying to tell Peter what has already been done. You see, when faced with Peter falling into the sin of denying Christ, Jesus combats this with prayer. He is not saying He will pray for Peter. Jesus is saying that He has already prayed for his “faith should not fail.” Is it not interesting that of all the weapons Jesus has at His disposal to defeat the advancement of the enemy, here His weapon of choice is prayer?

The words “and when you have returned to Me” are Jesus prophesying victory. The denial has not happened yet; Jesus knows of what Satan will attempt; Jesus prays specifically for Peter, and now Jesus is declaring victory over a battle that has yet to begin. Why? The end of the verse. Jesus wants Peter to know that he will go through the denial and, as a result, will suffer great internal sorrow for that act. But Jesus also knows that because of His prayer, Peter will return to Him. So, He gives Peter instruction that when he gets back, “strengthen your brethren.” Jesus is simply saying, “Do not let this time change your identity, focus, or purpose.” Peter was His rock, and as such, Jesus knew how important it would be for Peter to resume his role as a source of strength to others. He desperately wanted to show Peter that he would survive this attack with his identity intact. With his identity secured, Peter would have the ability to maintain focus on his gift of being a strength to others.

The sin, the sorrow, and the attempt Satan made have no power against the prayer of Jesus. Dare we ask, since Jesus cared so much to pray for Peter at this time, what prayers is He offering to God on our behalf? What situation are you facing or about to meet that Christ has already prayed for and declared victory over? How much love does Jesus have for you to pray in such a manner?