When someone tells me they are praying for me, it means a great deal to me. This means that someone took time out of their day to pray for me, to speak to God on my behalf. How awesome is that? I think it’s important that we let people know we are praying for them. Jesus told Peter he was praying for him, and I imagine it was something Peter did not forget.
In Luke 22, Jesus spoke to Peter, calling him Simon. He said, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan commanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat.” Calling him by his old name reminds us of where Peter once was—his old life—and I am sure it meant something to Peter too. But then Jesus says, “But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Then Jesus calls him Peter for the rest of the conversation.
Jesus was telling Peter that Satan wanted to get his hands on the disciples (that’s the first “you”), but that He prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail. Then He says, “When you have turned again” (when he has repented) to strengthen the other disciples. Jesus was telling Peter that he would slip, he would stumble back into his old way of life (which is when he denies Christ). But He also told Peter that He prayed for Him. He covered Him in prayer. That’s the best gift you can give someone. A prayer. Pray for someone today. Let them know you are praying for them. And ask God how He can use you to help answer that prayer.
“But I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” – Luke 22:32 [ESV]
Tania Gutekunst 