Ever had one of those mornings where a Bible verse just jumps off the page and grabs your heart? That happened to me one morning during my prayer time. This powerful little gem just kept echoing in my mind:

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have pleaded in prayer for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. So when you have repented and turned to me again, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32 NLT)

Now, if we were in Peter’s shoes, what kind of prayer would we have wanted Jesus to pray? Probably something like, “Oh Father! Guard him from the sifting the devil is about to give him!” Right? We’d want to avoid the tough stuff.

But Jesus, who knows what’s truly best for each of us, prayed differently. He didn’t pray for Peter to be spared the sifting. No, He prayed for something far deeper, far more powerful: He prayed that Peter’s faith would not fail.

And I’m absolutely convinced that countless times in my own life, and in yours, the Holy Spirit of God has interceded in that very same way.

Let’s be honest, we don’t like being sifted. It’s messy. It’s uncomfortable. It feels like everything’s falling apart. But here’s the thing: it’s absolutely necessary. It’s how the genuine fruit is separated from the chaff and the junk. Think about it: after someone has been through a good sifting, you can recognize a more mature person, someone with a deeper knowledge of God, someone capable of strengthening others because they’ve gained an authority they never would have had without the shaking.

If you long to be used by God, to grow deeper spiritually, or to know Him more intimately, don’t be surprised by the shakings that come into your life. God is doing a profound work in you through them.

What I learned that morning, and what I want to share with you, is this: I’m going to change the way I pray in the midst of the violent shakings that come my way. I’m going to pray according to God’s will. I’m going to plead with God that my faith will not fail.

If you were to ask me right now what my prayer request is, it’s this: “Please ask God that my faith will not fail.” The enemy’s strategy is focused on one thing, and that’s to make my faith fail. Because without faith, it’s impossible for me to please God.

I don’t know what difficult circumstance you’re facing today, but my prayer for you is: “Lord, may their faith not fail.” What will your prayer be?

The very same Peter who was sifted wrote years later:

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, strengthen, and establish you.” (1 Peter 5:10 NLT)

Let me close with this thought. Take a moment to ponder: What have the recent tribulations in your life accomplished in you? Have they caused your faith to waver, or have they strengthened it? Do you know someone who is being sifted right now? How will you pray for them?

I encourage you to share this message today.

Blessings!