Sifted

Satan made demands.

They are accusatory in character, derisive in demeanor, and cynical to the core. They were also audacious!

Jesus prayed.

Satan wanted to have Simon, "that he might sift you like wheat."

Jesus  prayed that Simon's faith would not fail, even though he knew that Simon himself would fail. So he prayed that when Simon turned again, not if but when, he would strengthen his brothers.

Simon protested he would not fail.

It was a noble thing he said,  “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

His intentions were strong but Jesus said he would fail

We all fail. It does not mean that faith fails or that god fails.

Simon's predictable failure did not alter the hope, the expectation, or the reality of Jesus' prayer. Simon Peter would also turn. His faith would not fail. His faith did not fail.

You have had, are having, and will have failures, but it does not mean that your faith has failed.

These failures are sifting you/ What remains after the sifting is the authentic you that you were made to be.

It is your faith and the accompanying prayers of Jesus that are seeing you through, bringing you back, and prepares you to strengthen your brothers and sisters.

"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.”

Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.”

Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”

                - Luke 22:31-34 ESV