He Prayed for Me
Hi!
I am Peter. Fishing used to be my profession. Once, after toiling all night in vain, I was washing my nets. Jesus came by and said, “Launch into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” I just obeyed and to my astonishment caught a lot of fish. That was the first time I had a glimpse of His glory. I fell down at His feet and pleaded, “Lord, depart from me, for I am a sinful man.” But He called me, saying “Follow Me, I will make you fishers of men.” I could not resist! I left everything and followed Him.
Since then my life had not been a smooth ride. I have had my share of ups and downs.
One night I was on a boat with my friends. We were not prepared to face the rough wind and waves that hit our boat. We were struggling hard to keep the boat afloat. Jesus came toward us walking on water. We screamed in fear. But, when He spoke, we recognized Him. He said, “I am here! Don’t be afraid.” I immediately asked Him, “Lord, if it’s really you, will you please command me to come to you by walking on water?” He said, “Come.” And I jumped out of the boat and walked on water! But when I saw the wind, I was afraid and began to sink. I cried out to Jesus. He instantly reached out His hand and took hold of me. He said, “Why did you doubt?” When we got into the boat, the wind ceased, and this was another time I had a glimpse of His glory. We worshiped him saying, “You are truly the Son of God!”
When we were with Him in Caesarea Philippi, He asked us, “Who do you say I am?” I answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Peter, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.” Soon He started telling us about the many terrible things that He would suffer, His crucifixion, and resurrection. I could not take them in. So, I took Him aside and said, “Heaven forbid, Lord, this will never happen to you!” But He very sternly replied, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
A few days later, Jesus took James, John, and me to the top of a mountain. No one else was there. As we watched, Jesus’ appearance changed, and His clothing became dazzling white. Then Moses and Elijah appeared and were talking with Jesus. I was excited and said, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one for Moses and one for Elijah.” As I spoke, a bright cloud came over us, and a voice from the cloud proclaimed, “This is My beloved Son. Listen to Him.” When we heard this, we fell on our faces for we were terrified. But Jesus touched us and said, “Get up, don’t be afraid.” When we got up, we saw no one but Jesus. This was yet another time I saw His glory.
I had listened to almost all the teachings of Jesus and had witnessed almost all His miracles.
On the night He was betrayed, Jesus told me that Satan had demanded to have us so that he might sift us like wheat. Jesus also told me that He had prayed for me that my faith might not fail. He commanded me to strengthen my brothers when I turned back. I said, "Lord, I am ready to follow you anywhere, be it prison or death." Jesus plainly replied, “Before the rooster crows tomorrow morning you will deny three times that you even know me.”
I was with Jesus in Gethsemane. He was greatly distressed and troubled as he prayed to the Father about His impending suffering and crucifixion. But I could not even stay awake. When He found me sleeping, He said, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation.” He went back to pray while I continued to sleep. This happened yet one more time. When Jesus said, “The Son of Man is now betrayed into the hands of sinners," I arose. I saw Judas coming with a battalion of Roman soldiers and officers from the chief priests and the Pharisees. When they attempted to arrest Him, I drew my sword and struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear. Jesus held me back saying, “Put your sword into its sheath; shall I not drink the cup that the Father has given me?”
Jesus was arrested. A little later, just as He had said, three times, gripped with fear I denied knowing Him. Then I heard the rooster crow. Jesus looked at me, and I remembered His words. I went away, broke down and wept bitterly.
After His resurrection, for the three times I had denied, He gave me three opportunities to affirm my love for Him. He confirmed His call once again saying, “Follow Me.”
On the day of Pentecost, filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, I preached. Thousands believed the gospel. God used us to perform miracles in the name of Jesus Christ. And day by day the Lord added to us those who were being saved.
In those days it was considered unlawful for us, Jews, to be associated with people of other nations. But God showed me clearly through a vision that He showed no partiality. He granted repentance to people from all nations! So I had no problem in being associated with people from other nations. But when some of my brothers who disapproved such associations came to me, I did not want to offend them. I withdrew myself from those belonging to other nations. Paul strongly opposed me for this. He was right; I sincerely repented of my hypocrisy.
This is a small portion of my share of ups and downs. With my many failures, doubts did assail me. I have asked myself this question several times: Prone to fail, will I make it to the end?
But, you know, I told you about how He called me. I did not choose Him but He chose me. You know, the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable. This truth has kept me going amidst my foundering.
Another certainty that has kept me even during my stumbling was, He prayed for me. He told me that He had prayed for me that my faith might not fail. What more do I need? "God is not man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not fulfill it?" Even when I was faithless, He remained faithful—for He can never ever deny Himself.
I am sure you have had your own share of ups and downs. As you draw near to God through Christ Jesus, He who is able to save you completely intercedes for you. And when you don’t know what to pray, the Spirit of God Himself intercedes for you with groaning too deep for words. Therefore, remember that the author and finisher of your faith, who began a good work in you, will bring that good work to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Those who are called by God need no further assurance than the good news that the Son of God and the Spirit of God are praying to the Father on their behalf.
Called Apostle of Jesus Christ,
Peter
For further reading:
Luke 5:1-11, Matthew 4: 18-20, Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew 16:13-23, Matthew 17:1-8, II Peter 1:17-18, Luke 22:31-34, Matthew 26: 36-46, John 18:3-11, Luke 22:54-62, John 21:15-19, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2: 14, Acts 2:41, Acts 3:1-10, Acts 2:47, Acts 10:28-29, Galatians 2:11-14, Matthew 4:19, John 21:19, John 15:16, Romans 11:29, Luke 22:32, Numbers 23:19, II Timothy 2:13, Hebrews 7:25, Romans 8:34, Romans 8:26, Hebrews 12:2, Philippians 1:6
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