Christ Pleads For His People - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2026

Simon, Simon! I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail.
Luke 22:31-32

Christ Pleads For His People
What could Simon do in the presence of Satan? Poor, impetuous, self-confident Simon! And what can we do who are as foolish and weak as he? Satan's effort was and is to separate the souls of those whom Jesus loves from Him and to destroy them; and if he cannot destroy them, he will endeavor to destroy their testimony. What easy prey he would have if it were not for the blessed fact that we have an Intercessor, whose ceaseless and blessed activities on our behalf are all-prevailing. He has died to make us His own; He ever lives to maintain our faith in witness for Himself during His absence. How cheering are the words, "I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail." He had anticipated that fierce trial through which Simon was to pass; Satan is always too late for the Lord's vigilance; the prayer arose before the temptation came, and so it always does. He was ahead of Satan; Satan might catch Simon sleeping, and take you and me unawares, but he could not forestall the Lord. He had gauged the power of the foe and the weakness of His well-meaning disciple; and He had spoken to God, His Father, about it all, and secured for Simon all the grace that was needed.

Simon failed; he was allowed to do so, for he had lessons to learn. But his faith did not fail, and he came out of the distress and the dishonor to strengthen his brethren, and to storm the devil's stronghold at Jerusalem, and to take captive for Christ thousands who hitherto had been Satan's lawful captives. The intercession of our Lord is not less effectual for us; He is even at the right hand of God for this purpose. There, amid the glory of the throne, He pleads for us so that we may be more than conquerors through Him who loves us (Rom. 8:34, 39).

J. T. Mawson