"I have prayed for thee."-Luke 22:32

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never-ceasing
intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and then we are not
praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us
from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to
Peter-"Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat;
but"-what? "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice,
but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you
watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing. No,
it is, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." We little
know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops
of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath
led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid
the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank Him
because He never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the w!
ounds upon His hands, and carried our names upon His breastplate! Even
before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered
a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice. Mark, He does not say, "Satan
hath desired to have you." He checks Satan even in his very desire, and
nips it in the bud. He does not say, "But I have desired to pray for
you." No, but "I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone
to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made."
O Jesus, what a comfort it is that thou hast pleaded our cause against
our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their
ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence.

How encouraging is the thought of the Redeemer's never-ceasing
intercession for us. When we pray, He pleads for us; and then we are not
praying, He is advocating our cause, and by His supplications shielding us
from unseen dangers. Notice the word of comfort addressed to
Peter-"Simon, Simon, Satan hath desired to have you that he may sift you as wheat;
but"-what? "But go and pray for yourself." That would be good advice,
but it is not so written. Neither does he say, "But I will keep you
watchful, and so you shall be preserved." That were a great blessing. No,
it is, "But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." We little
know what we owe to our Saviour's prayers. When we reach the hill-tops
of heaven, and look back upon all the way whereby the Lord our God hath
led us, how we shall praise Him who, before the eternal throne, undid
the mischief which Satan was doing upon earth. How shall we thank Him
because He never held His peace, but day and night pointed to the w!
ounds upon His hands, and carried our names upon His breastplate! Even
before Satan had begun to tempt, Jesus had forestalled him and entered
a plea in heaven. Mercy outruns malice. Mark, He does not say, "Satan
hath desired to have you." He checks Satan even in his very desire, and
nips it in the bud. He does not say, "But I have desired to pray for
you." No, but "I have prayed for you: I have done it already; I have gone
to court and entered a counterplea even before an accusation is made."
O Jesus, what a comfort it is that thou hast pleaded our cause against
our unseen enemies; countermined their mines, and unmasked their
ambushes. Here is a matter for joy, gratitude, hope, and confidence.