“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” 
Luke 22:31-32

…but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them. 
Hebrews 7:24-25

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In the drawer of my nightstand is a bundle of handwritten notes that was delivered to my house in the fall of 2019. I was in the midst of a dark and difficult season in my mental health journey and hadn’t seen my friends or coworkers in weeks. I was struggling, and I felt alone in it—even with my family living in my house. 

The notes had been compiled by a close friend who shared my love of mail and handwritten letters—a collection of cards, sketches, and prayers from friends and coworkers from whom I had isolated myself. I remember the tears that fell when I read them, and I occasionally get them out and flip through them as a reminder that there were people who saw me when I was most alone. These notes are sacred to me—simply the words of friends, yes, but I know the breath of God was in the words written on those cards. 

The enemy wanted nothing more in that season than for me to believe I was completely alone. When we are battling sin, trapped in loneliness, or struggling with something that feels bigger than ourselves, the enemy will do anything to make us believe that we are left to fend for ourselves. He seeks to tell us a story that no one will believe us, no one will forgive us, and no one will love us towards a better way. Those lies are simply untrue. 

The words of Jesus in Luke 22 show us that Jesus longs to intercede on our behalf. He sees the attempts of the enemy to thwart and distract us, and, being an all-knowing God, has the power to intercede on our behalf. Being fully human, he understands the struggle when the enemy attacks—see Matthew 4—so Jesus doesn’t take his role as our intercessor lightly. His power is far greater than anything the enemy could imagine, yet he still knew that those who would experience temptation, like Peter, would need to hear that they were not alone in their struggles. 

Even in our darkest nights, our hardest struggles, our loneliest hours, the King of All Creation is with us and for us—in our hearts, in our prayers, and in the love and words of the body of believers alongside us. 

Next Steps

Spend time in prayer being honest with Jesus about what’s going on in your life. Is there a stronghold you are battling? A lie from the enemy you are believing? Jesus wants to walk with you through it and intercede on your behalf. Reach out to someone you can trust to walk with you through this season. 

If you or someone you know is struggling, visit this website for resources and support.