Scripture to Read: Luke 22:31–34
Judas had left the upper room, but Jesus was still talking with His eleven disciples, preparing them for what would come that night and what would come in their lives as they followed Him daily. God had Luke record this in Luke 22:31–34, 31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” 33 But he said to Him, “Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death!” 34 And He said, “I say to you, Peter, the rooster will not crow today until you have denied three times that you know Me.” To sift someone as wheat means that Satan wanted permission to put the disciples through a severe test, trying to shake them up or expose their weaknesses. Jesus turns to Peter because Jesus knows that Peter will deny Him. We know from Job 1:11, Job 2:5, Ephesians 6:10–18, and 1 Peter 5:8 that Satan and the demons wage war against God’s children, but through Christ we overcome and conquer. Jesus’ prayer focuses on Peter. It’s encouraging to know that, according to Romans 8:26–27 and 34, the Holy Spirit and Christ Himself continually pray on our behalf before the Father. Jesus knows what’s coming, prays for Peter, and points him beyond the failure to repentance and service. This is not a promise that believers will never falter, but a beautiful picture of restoration and renewed responsibility afterward.
Challenge & Application
What did Satan want to do and why?
What is encouraging about today’s devotion and why?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!