Dear Christian friends:

Yesterday we saw on T.V. the wonderful success of the first Gemini space flight, first time two Americans in one ship. First time anyone changed orbit in flight. Then this morning we saw the Ranger III strike the moon and send back pictures live on T.V.

Truly we are living in a wonderful age. Our scientists are doing wonderful things. Not only in space, but inventing many wonderful machines for our comfort and use.

Maybe, we are often thinking that we have no danger anymore. We are rich and strong and the greatest nation on earth. But still we have danger. Much danger. We need help and prayers. So

I. The danger.

A. Satan desired to have Peter

B. He also desires to have you.

Peter after he learned this wrote, "Be sober be vigilant, because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion goeth about seeking whom He may devour, whom resist steadfast in faith." (1 Peter 5:8)

1. He uses both good times and bad times to tempt us. Good days he lulls us into sleep and carelessness. Makes us feel secure without God. Tells us we have no need of God. We have a job, home, money, wife, and friends, good health. We do not need Church, Bible, God's Word and forgiveness of sins.

He leads us to trust in worldly things and forget God; In bad times he tempts us to despair. He says God does not love you. He will not forgive you. If He loved you, He would not let you have so much trouble. So Satan uses both good times and bad times to tempt you to give up faith in God.

2. To tempt Peter he used bad time. Jesus had been captured and was led to the palace of the chief priest Caiaphas. Peter followed afar off and joined the servants in the courtyard warmed himself by their fire. Peter was afraid now. Even afraid of a girl. The devil used the girl to tempt him in this bad time.

So we are in danger every day. The devil desires to have us as his servants, and is clever to get us. Don't think you are safe. Peter did, verse 33.

But thank God we have someone to help us resist the devil and win over him. Jesus our Savior helps us and prays for us.

II. The prayer

A. Jesus said to Peter, "I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not." Jesus does not say he will not be tempted. He will be tempted, that must happen, but his faith will not fail. Jesus prays to His Father for Peter that the Holy Spirit of God support him and help him to repent, and turn again to Jesus.

God hears the prayer of His dear Son Jesus and when Peter denied Jesus three times we read, "the cock crew. And the Lord turned and looked on Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how He had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And Peter went out and wept bitterly."

So Jesus also warns us before hand about the devil's temptations and He also prays for us that our faith fail not. And our heavenly Father will hear Jesus' prayers for us because he died on the cross for our sins. Paul says Jesus ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of God and makes intercession for us. What does that word mean? Intercede means to pray for someone else. Jesus does not pray for Himself, but for us.

We are comforted when we know that other people pray for us that God defends us and blesses us. (Pastor Paul) But here Jesus Himself our beautiful Savior prays for us that our faith fail not. Have you been tempted and then remembered Jesus' Words and resisted the tempter? Yes, you can remember many times. Jesus was praying for you. Not one of us would be tonight if Jesus did not pray for us in the hour of temptation.

This should give us much comfort and support so that we let not our hearts be troubled although many troubles and temptations come to us daily. And as Jesus prays for us in danger, so we should pray for ourself and for others.

Jesus here says to Peter, "When thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren." Peter obeyed Jesus and did much to strengthen his brothers and sisters in Jesus.

Let us do the same for one another.

Amen.