December 22, 2021 -- Luke 22:31-32 -- Jesus prays for you!

People dearly loved by the Father, in the Spirit's power: Sh'ma ~ hear and obey Jesus!

“Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, 32 but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22:31-32 ESV

23 The former priests were many in number, because they were prevented by death from continuing in office, 24 but he holds his priesthood permanently, because he continues forever. 25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
Hebrews 7:23-25 ESV

The devil is always accusing. Always trying to defeat. Always chipping away at our resolve to serve Jesus. He is the accuser, the tempter, and the father of lies, who, when he lies is speaking his native language (John 8:44). Do not be surprised at how wearying it is to fight against your own flesh, the world, and the power of evil all of which are arrayed against you. In fact, notice that Simon Peter had just celebrated the Lord’s Supper with his Savior. What a glorious celebration that must have been. After such a high point, what a tremendous fall into sin! Sound familiar?

Jesus lives to pray, to make intercession for us, His people. As long as we live, we are in need of His constant intervening prayers so that we will fight temptations. Or, having fallen into temptation, His unwearied prayer keep us from wallowing in sin, too ashamed to rise and return to Him, to Jesus for the very cleansing and healing we need. Jesus is our High Priest—He is perfect. He is infinitely powerful. He is aware of the frailty of human flesh. Therefore He is the perfect prayer-warrior-King, speaking on our behalf to the Father.

Notice the incredible kindness of Jesus. He uses us, people familiar with the pull of sin and the strength of temptations, people who have fallen into sin and then been confronted with resurrecting grace such that the strongholds of sin are thrown down, yes, He uses us to testify to His goodness. We speak of what we know, His prayers on our behalf, and the only boast we make, which is to boast in Christ—look where once I was, and see how, by His great mercy I am restored to new life. This is how we strengthen our brothers, in view of the vast mercies of God given us in Jesus and sealed in us by His Spirit.

Blessed are You, Jesus, our Intercessor-Warrior-King! Thank You for Your constant prayers on our behalf. Spirit of the Living God, deepen our devotion to Jesus and increase our awareness of His work that the times of trial and temptation might be foreshortened and we will be swift in turning from sin and finding relief in Jesus. Blessed are You, Jesus, for You have made the way open to our Father, He Who is Dreadful in Holiness. Merciful are You, Father of Love, for the way You have opened to Yourself in Christ and for gift of Your Spirit Who guards us that pathway of life. Amen.

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