Prayer is for forever

Let's face it. This is something we say when we can't think of anything else for comfort. It's almost an admission that nothing can be done. But because no one wants to look into a hopeless abyss, you mutter:

"Oh ... I'll pray for you."

And the other person says -- because it's the right thing to say in polite company:

"Oh... thank you," with the conviction of having just won a make-believe lottery.

And then everybody muddles on; another social politeness transacted without either side losing face. Without either side conceding that prayer is at best incomprehensible, at worst undependable, and always a shot in the dark.

Right after Jesus told Peter he would deny Him three times, He also said, "But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail."

This teaches us several things about prayer.

1. Jesus regarded prayer as the assured solution. And the problem was a nasty one: You are going to betray me Peter but -- here's the solution -- I've prayed for you that your faith may not fail. No shot in the dark here.

On the evidence, this prayer was simply not answered; Peter's faith did fail. Ahh, but here's the second thing about prayer.

2. Jesus' prayer for Peter was for the long run. He saw the end in view for Peter, and the end was a glorious inheritance. Many years later this same Peter would write to others undergoing all sorts of sufferings: "These (sufferings) have come so that your faith - of greater worth than gold ... may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."

So there is a way that prayer is like a long-term certificate of deposit. In the short run the market may fluctuate, but the long run outcome is assured.

For a culture fixated on short-run satisfactions (these days if you're computer takes a minute to boot up, it's outrageous -- it's time for a new computer), for a culture with this kind of attitude, waiting for long-run outcomes is not attractive. So...

3. ...The recipient of prayers also has some responsibility. Practice cultivating long-term joys. There is that too.

4. Finally, Jesus' love for Peter was unconditional. One thing about love: it is not utilitarian. If you love someone, getting use out of that person is not foremost on your mind, if it is on your mind at all.

If there is no love there, there just might be no there there ... to prayer.

Logos2Go

Luke 22.32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

1 Peter 1.3-8 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade-kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials.These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy.