What Jesus Is Praying For You

[Jesus] is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.   Hebrews 7:25

Jesus intercedes for you. That means he speaks to the Father on your behalf, bringing before God the specific needs and particular situations you’re facing.

Here’s a beautiful illustration of this: Jesus knew Peter would come under great pressure after he was arrested, so he told Peter, “Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith should not fail” (Luke 22:31-32).

Jesus did not pray that Peter wouldn’t fail, but that Peter’s faith wouldn’t fail. God can use our failures as well as our triumphs. Jesus was saying, “The bad news is the enemy is going to attack you. But the good news is I’ve prayed that your faith won’t fail.”

Satan really worked Peter over, and Peter failed big time. That would have been the end of Peter’s story, but Christ had prayed for him, and Jesus’ prayers are always answered. That’s why Peter’s failure became an opportunity to discover God’s mercy. When Peter came to the tomb and saw the risen Lord, his faith was renewed. A few days later, the Lord restored him and commissioned him for ministry.

What Jesus did for Peter is a wonderful picture of what he continues to do—pray for you. Be careful not to imagine Jesus on his knees in heaven, agonizing like he did before the cross. He’s seated on the throne, and his word is the angels’ command.

Jesus Christ, your great High Priest, is aware of every circumstance of your life. Nothing escapes his attention. He speaks with authority in the Father’s presence, and his word releases the resources of heaven for every pressure you face today.

I wonder what Jesus is praying for you right now. That your faith may not fail? That you’ll be sustained under a great burden? That you’ll face up to an issue of sin and deal with it? It’s marvelous to know that Christ intercedes for you. He will bring you through every circumstance of life. He lives for that very purpose.

For further reading, see Luke 22