FORGIVENESS

Read Luke 22

This is one of the most precious things the Lord said to any of His disciples. He knew Satan wanted to bring down, not only Him, but also Peter and His other disciples. You see, Satan knew that those followers of the Son of God might just continue to tell the story after Jesus died. He wanted to “sift” them like wheat. In other words, Satan wanted to tear them apart.

But of all things, Jesus tells Peter that He has prayed for him. Jesus prayed specifically that once he had denied Him (Luke 22:47–53), he would return and be used to strengthen the other disciples. How would you have felt if Jesus had told you He had prayed for you?

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children are going to disappoint us. They are going to make mistakes. However, they need to know, just like Peter, that we will forgive them, and that God has great plans for them. Don’t you think Peter remembered these words of Jesus after he denied him, and that rooster crowed?

How can you show your children to trust the Lord, even when they have “denied” Him? When they make those foolish decisions to go against God’s will and your desires for them, they still need to be loved and prayed for. That does not mean that we condone their behaviors that are contrary to God’s Word. But it does mean that, just like Peter, they can still be used to “strengthen” their brothers.

Forgiveness is a hard thing. Our flesh wants to seek revenge, not forgive someone. But we must follow the Lord’s example. In the hour of His greatest need, Peter abandoned Him. But Jesus loved him anyway and prayed for him. Will you pray for your children, knowing that they will disobey and disappoint? Jesus does, for them and for you.

Protect my children today, O Lord. Cause them to walk with You on the straight and narrow road. And when they stray, bring them back to You quickly.