Luke 22:31-32

Luke 22:31-32 (NIV) "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

This passage takes place after the Last Supper and before the garden when Jesus asks the disciples to pray with him, immediately before Jesus is arrested. The timing is about the time when Judas leaves to call the ones who are to arrest Jesus. It is before (Simon) Peter denies Jesus 3 times.

Here's what bothers me. 1) Satan asks permission to "sift [Simon] as wheat" and apparently is given permission. 2) Jesus says that he prayed specifically for Simon because he knew this was going to take place. Why didn't he also pray for Judas?

This is what I think about the prayers for Simon. Notice that Jesus calls him Simon here, even though He'd been calling him Peter. Perhaps use of Simon instead of Peter indicates that Simon is not or will not be "the Rock" during the time that satan will "sift [him] as wheat". Perhaps he will be as he was when he first met Jesus rather than the strong able disciple he had become. Perhaps Jesus used Simon just to get Simon Peter's attention about the coming hours.

Why was satan given permission to "sift [Simon] as wheat"? Actually it is comforting that satan had to ask permission. That means that God is aware of satan's attack before it happens, plans for it, and gives ammunition to fight it. I also think that satan was given permission to accomplish God's purposes in Simon Peter, teaching him about his own arrogance, or even his tendency to think he could do it on his own. Whatever the reason God allowed satan. You can rest assured that God's purposes were met as a result. In this particular case, Jesus even prayed specifically for Simon Peter and this test with satan. Does that mean that He prays for us when satan asks permission to harass us? I hope so.

Why doesn't Jesus pray for Judas though? Oh, maybe He did and it just didn't get recorded in the gospels. I can see how that would happen. The authors were probably still pretty ticked off at Judas. You can see it throughout John where he continually reminds us that Judas betrayed Jesus and that Judas took money. (John 12:6 NIV "He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.") I hate the possibility that Jesus didn't pray for Judas. I also hate the idea that the prayer for Judas wasn't answered. What could the prayer for Judas have been? Perhaps it is the same prayer he used for others: "Father, forgive him for he knows not what he does?" I can understand and appreciate that. I will end with that thought.

Dear Jesus, Thank You for each time You pray for me and my family and friends. Each time that You grant permission for satan to have his way with me, I ask for added prayers for myself and those around me. I need all the help I can get. In Your most powerful name. Amen.

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