Building One Another

PRAYED FOR!, Vol 8 No 15

April 13, 2009

Dear Friend,

Have you ever felt sifted like wheat? It’s not an expression we use much today. It means to pull apart, to fragment, and even to separate violently.

You feel sifted like wheat when life tears you apart. When some circumstance, uncertainty, illness, spiteful behavior, failure in the face of temptation just tears you up leaving you empty, frustrated, exhausted, angry, depressed.

Jesus must have startled his disciples when addressing Simon, “Simon, Simon, listen! Satan has demanded to sift all of you like wheat.” Luke 22:31*

Life is complex and there are many ways that we may be sifted, experiences that test our trust in Jesus, that attempt to separate us from Jesus.

If Jesus only said, “Satan has demanded to sift you like wheat,” we would be left in a most difficult place, but Jesus goes on to say some of the most wonderful, promise-full, hope-full words you will ever hear in your life.

“But I have prayed for you that your own faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” Luke 22:32.

When Jesus Christ prays for something, God answers his prayer with a powerful YES. If Jesus prays that Peter’s faith won’t fail, then it won’t fail.

When you are sifted look to Jesus! “He is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25 Just as Jesus prayed for Peter, he prays for you.

Building One Another

Dear Friend,

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