Upholding the brethren

 Hello everyone,

How are you doing on this day? I hope well and bubbling in the Lord. Happy New Month. I pray this month will be a truly blessed one for you and yours in Jesus name, amen.

Primary Text

“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: But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren.” Luke 22v31-32 (KJV)

“Simon, stay on your toes. Satan has tried his best to separate all of you from Me, like chaff from wheat. Simon, I’ve prayed for you in particular that you not give in or give out. When you have come through the time of testing, turn to your companions and give them a fresh start.” Luke 22v31 (MSG)

“Simon, Simon (Peter), listen! Satan has asked excessively that [all of] you be given up to him [out of the power and keeping of God], that he might sift [all of] you like grain, But I have prayed especially for you [Peter], that your [own] faith may not fail; and when you yourself have turned again, strengthen and establish your brethren.” Luke 22v31-32 (AMP)

The Bible tells us that we are many parts of one body and we belong to one another (Romans 12v5), and it is important that we uphold (support, sustain, defend, encourage) one another. One way in which we can do this is to pray for one another. Ephesians 6v18 (AMP) says “Pray at all times (on every occasion, in every season) in the Spirit, with all [manner of] prayer and entreaty. To that end keep alert and watch with strong purpose and perseverance, interceding in behalf of all the saints (God’s consecrated people).” Jesus exemplified this in the verse above when He let Simon know that He had prayed for him that his faith would not fail. In John 17 we find Jesus also praying for the disciples and for all who would come to believe in Christ through their teaching. In fact, Jesus continues to intercede for us; Hebrews 7v25 (AMP) saying “Therefore He is able also to save to the uttermost (completely, perfectly, finally, and for all time and eternity) those who come to God through Him, since He is always living to make petition to God and intercede with Him and intervene for them.” Beloved, will you join the Lord in this work of intercession? We find that this was something the Apostle Paul did constantly, and we should also be doing. May the good Lord grant us the grace to uphold one another up in prayer in Jesus name, amen.

Supplementary Text

“Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are.” 1 Peter 5v9 (NLT)

Prayer

Father, I thank You so much for Your Word. Father, I pray for believers all over the world, that You would strengthen us. Please give us words to encourage one another. Grant us the grace to pray for one another. Help us to be sensitive to the needs around us, to those of Your children in the sheepfold, and those yet to come to the knowledge of You. Thank You Eternal Rock of Ages. In Jesus mighty name we pray, amen.