In Luke 22: 31-32, our Lord warned Peter: “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Our preacher today the Rev Jeremy Walker brought us a challenging, yet encouraging Sermon. In this passage, Peter was about to fall, but our Lord encouraged him by telling him that he had prayed for him, and that although he would fall, his faith would not fail. The Lord never promised Peter that he would be immune to the attacks of the Evil one.
The message was challenging: just like Simon Peter, Chritians must face the assaults of Satan. He will not let the church alone one minute. There is a sifting going on, often brutal, always challenging for our faith. None of us can boast that we will not fail. Peter did and fell. We must be on our guards, and aware of this.
But the message was also comforting. The Lord is praying for us, interceding in our favour. However badly we may fall, if we are truly one of His people, our faith will be protected, and will not be extinguished.