Faith World Leesburg

October is pastor appreciation month and we want to honor Chris George, our administrative pastor along with Jamie Wooten, assistant pastor and Matt Turner, assistant pastor. Much love and appreciation to these three wonderful men of God.

“And the Lord said, Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” -Luke 22:31-32

Peter was a passionate and devoted follower of Jesus, yet Jesus knew that Peter was about to face one of the greatest tests of his life. Satan desired to “sift” him, to shake him, pressure him, and expose his weakness. But there is a beautiful phrase in this passage that should encourage every one of us, spoken by Jesus: “But I have prayed for you.”

Jesus did not tell Peter that he would never be tested. In fact, Peter would stumble badly. Before the night was over, he would deny Jesus three times. Yet Peter’s failure would not be final.

Jesus had already looked beyond Peter’s fall and saw his restoration. He said, “When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.”

In other words, Jesus was saying, “Peter, you are going to stumble, but you are going to get back up. Your failure will not destroy your future. I still have a purpose for your life.”

What an encouraging word for us! There may be times when our faith is shaken. We may become discouraged, make mistakes, or even fall. But our weakness does not cancel the faithfulness of Jesus.

The enemy may sift us, but Jesus is praying for us. And notice something else: Peter's struggle would eventually become part of his ministry. The man who needed strengthening would one day strengthen others. God can do the same with us.

Your battle can become somebody else's encouragement.

Your tears can become somebody else's testimony.
Your failure can become a lesson in grace.

Your restoration can become proof that God has not given up on you.

So when you feel shaken, remember the words of Jesus: “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not.”

You may be shaken, but you don't have to be destroyed.
You may stumble, but you can get back up.
You may go through the sifting, but you can come out stronger.

Jesus is praying for you—and your story isn't over!