But I have prayed for you

  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

 Life is hard.  It doesn't matter who you are, life is full of difficulty.  We live in a world that is tainted by sin which has caused suffering, broken relationships, sickness, and discontentment.  These signs can be seen anywhere in the world.  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tell us that all people will suffer difficulty (Matt 5:45).  As if that wasn't enough, the person who follows Jesus gains an enemy - the devil.  Because I follow Christ, sometimes I feel like there is a big red and white bulls-eye painted on my chest like in Gary Larson's Far Side Comic.  

Peter experienced this reality when Jesus spoke to him in Luke 22.  Jesus revealed to Peter that "Satan has asked for you." Imagine, the devil himself asking for you.  Peter experienced that!  In fact, it seems the more you serve God, the more known you become.  There is an account in Acts 19 where a group of Jewish exorcists try to cast out a demon.  The demon then says to them. "Jesus I know, and Paul I know, but who are you?" (Acts 19:15).  These guys weren't even on the radar because they were not serving God but themselves.  Paul however is mentioned here by name.  This demon knew who Paul was.  It seems that the more we serve and follow Christ, the more we are in the bulls-eye.  I don't know that I'm important enough for the devil to ever seek me out personally, but certainly there is some demonic minion whose goal is to wreak havoc on my life to turn me away from Jesus.  This can be very discouraging! No doubt it would have been frightful for Peter to hear Jesus say, "Satan's been asking for you Peter."

"But I have prayed for you".  These were Jesus' next words.  What an encouragement to know that Jesus has prayed for us.  No matter the difficulty or the demonic opposition, we have Jesus on our side before whom all demons tremble in fear (Jas 2:19).  If you are a follower of Jesus, know that Jesus is praying for you even now as you read this.  The Scriptures declare that Jesus didn't just pray for Peter, but he is praying for you right now (Rom 8:34; Heb 7:25).  Jesus' prayers are always effectual.  That means Jesus is praying effectually for you right now.  If you are discouraged or confused, take refuge in this truth: Jesus is interceding for you even now in the throne of God.

Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to God our Saviour, Who alone is wise, Be glory and majesty, Dominion and power, Both now and forever. Amen. (Jude 24–25)