Title: The Fruit of Prayer
In scripture Luke 22:28-34, what would be the fruit of Jesus’ prayer? Simply speaking, that is the best pupil of Jesus, Peter’s repentance and renewal. When it comes to the last day of Jesus on earth and comes close to the moment of Jesus’ crucifixion, Peter’s faith was drastically shaken and declined. As a result, he ended up denying Jesus 3 times (Matthew 26:69-75).
In Luke 22:31-32, Jesus told and warned him and pointed out that his faith has become weak and he has fallen to Satan’s hand to be sifted like wheat. Instead of admitting, Peter talked boastfully to Jesus that he would go both to prison and to death with Jesus (Luke 22:33).
What is happening to Peter?
Firstly, Peter trusted himself too much: As his self-confidence was too great that he was not able to see the reality of his spiritual condition.
Secondly, Peter committed the sin of ceasing to pray (1 Samuel 12:23). He was not able to look at his spiritual condition. Furthermore, he gave an empty talk and useless promise to Jesus.
Then, how Jesus prayed for Peter?
- Your faith may not fail
Luke 22: 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Luke 22 happened during the last day of Passion Week. A short while later, Jesus would be captured and go through all kinds of humiliation. Yet, Jesus prayed that Peter’s faith may not fail. This must be a very important thing.
Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith not to fail. It is because of the simple biblical principle that when our soul prospers, we may prosper in all respects (3 John 1:2).
- You must turn again
Luke 22: 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Seeing Peter’s faith dramatically falling down, Jesus prayed that his faith may not fall any more but be held there. If Peter’s faith falls completely, there would be no chance of repentance. So, Jesus’ prayer is like to give a break to Peter’s faith that was falling quickly so that it will not go down any further. And Jesus asked Peter to turn again which means restoration and renewal. Jesus was asking Peter to repent and renew his faith. This is the intervention of Jesus Christ.
- You must become a strong leader
Luke 22: 32 but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.”
Jesus asked him to strengthen his brothers which signifies that Jesus wanted Peter to become a leadership in a community of faith and take care others and help others to grow strongly (Acts 2:14; 41).
Peter went down so badly that he denied Jesus 3 times yet turned again from there and became a worker of God when he preachers, 3 thousand people repented at once. Peter indeed turned into a great and strong leader of Jesus’ church. It is the result of Jesus’ prayer. It is the fruit of Jesus’ prayer.
Can you become a strong leader? Yes, you can and you must. Because that’s how Jesus prays for us today. He wants us not to become a bystander but a strong leader who takes responsibility and we must become the fruit of Jesus’ prayer.
Conclusion:
We must become a person who prays
If Jesus’ prayer has changed Peter greatly, we should know that our prayer also can change things greatly.
Genesis 19:29 Thus it came about, when God destroyed the cities of the valley, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when He overthrew the cities in which Lot lived.
Here is when God was going to destroy Sodom and Gomorrah and 2 other cities. Yet, He remembered Abraham and saved Lot out from the destruction.
Genesis 18:22-33 explains about Abraham asking God what if he finds 50 righteous among the cities, then 45, then 40 and so on. This was the prayer and intercession from Abraham regarding to save Lot. And God remembered Abraham and his prayer, thus saved Lot.
We should pray for each other to become a strong leader, and a great servant. We should pray for our children to become a man and woman of faith. We should pray for TLCC to become a church that will be filled with His people. We should pray for Malaysia to become a nation where God dwells and works. We should pray for COVID-19 to stop spreading and afflicting people.
Matthew 7:7 Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.
Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
1 Corinthians 14:15 What is the outcome then? I will pray with the spirit and I will pray with the mind also; I will sing with the spirit and I will sing with the mind also.
Believe that whatever we pray for will be answered. Let’s sow our prayers so that we can reap greatly when the time of harvest comes. Amen!
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 