Jesus Prays for You
Jesus prays for you just as he once prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail. So, if you are facing temptation and losing, be encouraged because Jesus is using your trial to teach you important truths about your faith in Him.
Without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
Despite this Bible verse about the importance of faith in God, we often fail. And this is because it is human nature to rely on oneself instead of trusting in the Lord Jesus. For this reason, the Bible tells us about Peter, who was in Jesus’ inner circle and a leader among the disciples. Yet even Peter dramatically failed the test of faith.
But before this happened, Jesus asked the disciples, “Who do you say that I am?” Only Peter declared that Jesus was the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God. Indeed, Jesus Christ was God’s promised Deliverer, His “Anointed One,” who would save His people from their sins.
Upon hearing Peter’s response, Jesus called Peter blessed because only His Father could reveal this spiritual insight to Peter. Jesus then told Peter that He would build His church on this same profession of faith. So, if anyone thought they had arrived spiritually, it would be Peter.
Jesus Prayed for Peter’s Faith
Like believers today, Simon Peter loved Jesus, so he could never imagine rejecting Him. In other words, he did not yet know how sinful he was. But Peter would soon enter a time of testing where he would discover the depths of his unrighteousness. But fortunately, Jesus already knew Peter better than he knew himself.
Jesus said: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
Did Peter even hear Jesus tell him that Satan wanted to shake Peter’s faith forcefully enough to destroy it? Because despite Jesus’ warning, Peter confidently told Jesus he would suffer and even die for Him.
“Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death.” Jesus answered, “I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me.” Luke 22:33-34
Interestingly, preceding Jesus’ prophetic word and Peter’s declaration of faithfulness, Peter and the other disciples argued about who was the greatest. And after that, Jesus told the disciples that they would sit on thrones in His Kingdom, judging the 12 tribes of Israel. Thus, it is unsurprising that Jesus then predicted that Peter would betray Him. So, how did Peter go from following Jesus to betrayal? In a word, pride, which the Bible calls sin.
Therefore, let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12
Jesus Prays Your Faith Will not Fail
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. James 1:2-4
God designs trials to assess the genuineness of your faith, which is more precious than gold. Moreover, these godly examinations benefit you because they get your attention, reveal sin, and, in the end, produce spiritual maturity. Hence, as Jesus prayed for Peter during his time of testing, He prays that your faith in Him would not cease but persevere. Because your faith in Jesus Christ is the match that ignites God’s power in your life.
Peter’s tribulation began in the high priest’s courtyard after the arrest of Jesus. And it was here that Peter denied he knew Jesus three separate times to protect himself.
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter. Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: “Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” And he went outside and wept bitterly. Luke 22:61-62
Jesus Prays You Receive His Love
Immediately after Peter renounced Jesus for the third time, the rooster crowed, and Jesus turned and looked at Peter, but not with disapproval. Instead, Jesus looked at Peter with love and compassion, which broke his heart. Then, Peter remembered Jesus’ prophetic words. Thus, with a heart torn with conviction and regret over his terrible sin of disowning Jesus, Peter went out and wept bitterly.
Oh, how our hearts ache for Peter because he did what Jesus predicted, but what was inconceivable to Him. Hence, Satan gleefully seized the opportunity to pile on with shame and incriminating accusations meant to destroy Peter’s faith. Is this happening to you? If so, instead of listening to Satan’s lies, believe the truth of God’s Word.
Jesus was crucified for all your sins on the cross, so He never looks at you with condemnation. Because when you believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, God declares you not guilty since the penalty for your sins died with Christ on the cross. Therefore, hold up the shield of faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ whenever Satan, the accuser, tries to indict you.
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1
Jesus Prays for You Because Your Flesh is Weak
Earlier, Peter’s bold declarations of loyalty to Jesus were based on self-confidence, not faith, which became the catalyst for his downfall. Because Peter trusted in himself, he did not yet understand what the Apostle Paul learned: “For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh.” Romans 7:18
Satan’s goal was to crush Peter’s faith, which is his intention for every believer. And like Peter, we do not know how sinful we are until we face the pressure cooker of a trial. Indeed, even Paul, who authored much of the New Testament, struggled against the power of indwelling sin and called himself a wretched man.
Paul wanted to obey God but concluded he had no power within himself to fight sin. Hence, he refocused and thanked God for the Lord Jesus Christ, who alone could deliver him. Have you come to the same conclusion?
The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. Who can know it? Jeremiah 17:9
We relate to Peter’s faith struggle because we also rely on ourselves more often than we want. And like Peter, we think more highly of ourselves than we ought. But Jesus knows the sin we are capable of, even when we do not. And He also knows we are no match against the power of sin without Him, so He prays for us.
Indeed, God designed Peter and Paul’s trials of faith for their good because, in the end, each would know by experience to put no confidence in themselves.
Jesus Prays You Believe God’s Word
Jesus said: “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:31-32
Peter heard Jesus’ words of warning but blew it off. Thus, he probably did not hear the rest of what Jesus said, which would have been an encouragement when he failed. Jesus assured Peter that his faith would not be extinguished because he would repent, and God would use him to strengthen the other disciples.
Instead, without hearing and believing Jesus’ promise, Satan was free to whipsaw Peter with condemnation. And if our personal experience is instructive, Satan had Peter’s three rejections of Jesus on repeat in his head, including his self-confident words of faithfulness to Jesus.
“Even if all fall away on account of you, I never will.” Matthew 26:33
So, how do we have faith? The Bible tells us.
Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
God forgave and saved you when you repented of your sins and believed the gospel word that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Likewise, your faith in Christ grows when you regularly read and obey the Word of God.
Therefore, the opposite is also true. When you neglect the Bible, your faith lessens, and your relationship with Christ cools. And before long, you find yourself in charge, not God. So, for these reasons, make Bible study a priority because faith comes through the Word of God.
Jesus Prays for Your Protection
Jesus prays to His Father: My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world. John 17:15, 18
As Satan sifted Peter like wheat, do you also sin in ways you once thought were impossible? Satan wants you to believe the Christian life does not work and then take you from faith in Christ to unbelief and ultimately to a complete rejection of Jesus Christ. And because you are no match for Satan or indwelling sin, he would indeed have his way.
But Jesus has a plan for you despite your defeats because He is the author and finisher of your faith. Hence, whatever Satan intends for evil in your life, God designs it for your good. Indeed, Satan’s mission is to erode your faith, but God uses your failures to understand that you need Him.
Hence, praise God that Jesus defeated Satan when He died on the cross for your sins and rose again because He now sits at the right hand of God in heaven, praying for you! So, will you trust Jesus alone to deliver you? Then, confess your sins, keep your focus on Jesus for victory, and do not trust in yourself.
And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. To Him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen. 1 Peter 5:10-11
Jesus Prays for You with Compassion
For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are–yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16
Peter condemned himself, but Jesus never did because He sympathized with his weaknesses. Because even though Jesus is fully God, He is also fully human. Therefore, Jesus experienced the same desires and impulses of the flesh we do, yet without sin.
How about you? Is sin mastering you? Then, Jesus invites you to come to Him boldly and speak with Him honestly without fear of shame or punishment because He is tender toward you, kind, and compassionate. Indeed, the flesh is weak and unable to overcome sin, but praise God, Jesus can!
Therefore, keep looking to Jesus alone to put away your sins. And know that with every struggle, God is training your hands for spiritual battle until your faith comes forth as gold and you increasingly reflect the Lord Jesus Christ. Moreover, like Peter, who discovered he had no righteousness of his own, you become more compassionate toward the weakness of others, and God can use you.
My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have one who speaks to the Father in our defense–Jesus Christ, the Righteous One. He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world. 1 John 2: 1-2
Jesus Prayed for Peter, and He Repented
Peter’s faith faltered, but it did not fail because Jesus prayed for Peter. Therefore, Peter repented of his sins and, by faith, fulfilled Jesus’ purpose for his life through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. Hence, the Apostle Peter led the early church, worked miracles, and later, God inspired him to write the New Testament Books of 1 and 2 Peter.
Peter was also persecuted for proclaiming the gospel, but this time his faith prevailed. So, be encouraged because Jesus is also the author and finisher of your faith. And that is terrific news because it means that no matter what you are going through, Jesus is perfecting your faith. And you will finish well because Jesus lives to intercede for His children. Therefore, rejoice because Jesus prays for you.
To Him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before His glorious presence without fault and with great joy– to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen. Jude 24-25
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Bible study for “Jesus Prays for You”
Week 1: Deuteronomy 8:1-5; Exodus 16:4-5; 1 Chronicles 29:1 Job 23:10-12; Psalms 11:4-5; 17:3-8; 18:30-36; 34:17-19; 37:23-24; 51:1-13, 17; 66:8-12; 68:19; 71:19-21; 102:17; 103:1-19; 119:67, 73-74, 89, 133, 176; 139:23-24; 145:14, 17-21
Week 2: Proverbs 3:5-12; 4:23; 17:3; 28:13; Jeremiah 17:9-10; Matthew 1:21-23; 4:4; 6:13; 16:13-27; 24:35; 26:41; Mark 11:22-25; 14:66-72; Luke 11:27-28; 22:14-34, 54-62; John 8:44; 10:24-33; 11:40; 13:18-38; 15:4-5; 17:1-26; 18:12-27; 21:15-19
Week 3: Acts 2:1-4, 14-41; 3:1–26; 4:1-31; 5:1-42; 9:32-43; 12:1-18; Romans 3:9-31 4:1-25; 5:1-11; 6:1-23; 7:7-25; 8:1-39; 12:1-3; 14:4; 1 Corinthians 10:12-13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, 8-11; 4:7-18 ; 9:8; 11:3; Galatians 2:15-21; 3:1-14; 5:4-5, 16-26; 6:7-10
Week 4: Ephesians 1:3-14, 15-17; 2:1-10; 3:14-21; 6:10-12, 16-18; Philippians 1:6; 4:4-7, 13, 19; Colossians 2:13-15; 3:1-4; 1 Thessalonians 1:2-5; 2:4-6, 13; 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 1:11-12; 3:1-5; 1 Timothy 1:15-20; 6:11-16; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 4:6-8
Week 5: Hebrews 1:1-4, 8-12; 2:14-18; 4:12-16; 5:5-10; 7:21-28; 10:19-23, 32-39; 11:1-40; 12:1-12; 13:20-21; James 1:2-8, 12, 22-25; 2:14-26; 4:17; 5:13-20; 1 Peter 1:1-9, 23-25; 2:2-3; 4:12-19; 5:5-11; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 1 John 1:8-10; 2:1-6, 17; 5:1-5, 13-15; Jude 24-25; Revelation 12:7-11
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