Evening, January 11

Charles Spurgeon · Morning and Evening: Daily Readings

"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 when 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 wounds 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.