A Prayer on Jesus' Intercession for Peter
Luke 22:24–34 / By Esaias Heidenreich
This prayer does not have a heading in the book I’m using, but Heidenreich seems to have Luke 22:24–34 in mind, where there is a dispute following the institution of the Lord’s Supper about who is the greatest, following which Jesus tells Peter, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan hath desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not” (Luke 22:31–32). It may be helpful to keep these words in mind as you read the prayer.
Lord Jesus, just as Your intercession was salutary and comforting to sinking Peter and the other apostles, so remain also today the patron and intercessor of us and all distressed hearts. Cover our guilt with Your innocence. Let us not sin against Your holy name and our neighbor through presumption, rivalry, or pride. Rather, humble us, that we may partake of Your grace, and, through the power of Your glorious resurrection, be enlivened and strengthened in all misfortune and misery. Amen.
Esaias Heidenreich, Passional Betbüchlein (1582)
Peter Paul Rubens, The Last Supper (ca. 1630–31)