"But I have prayed for thee, that they faith fail not..." (Luke 22:31-32)
In these verses, Jesus Christ issues a warning to his faithful disciple, Peter. After warning him about Satan's desires, he offers this comfort: "I have prayed for thee." I love those words! There is something enormously comforting when I know others are praying for me. I feel buoyed up and strengthened. I feel more peace and hope. I compare that with knowing that Christ has prayed for us that our faith fails not. It makes each of these feelings so much more intense.
Jesus prayed for each of us while in Gethsemane. "I pray for them. ...
"I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil." (John 17:9, 15)
I could have typed out the entire chapter of John 17, but I didn't. What a beautiful thing to read and to know--
"Lift up your hearts and be glad, for I am in your midst, and am your advocate with the Father; and it is his good will to give you the kingdom." (Doctrine and Covenants 29:5)
How could we not be glad with Jesus Christ--the Son of God and the Savior of the world--as our advocate?
Mirriam Webster lists at least three definitions for advocate :
1: one that pleads the cause of another; specifically: one that pleads the cause of another before a tribunal or judicial court
2: one that defends or maintains a cause or proposal
3: one that supports or promotes the interests of another
Doesn't it make you excited to know that Christ is an advocate for you? He simply asks us to believe, repent, and follow Him.
"Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him---
"Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
"Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." (Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5)
I am profoundly grateful to know that Christ is my Advocate, that He loves me and is pleading my cause. Knowing this gives me joy and fills me with energy.
Doesn't it make you excited to know that Christ is an advocate for you? He simply asks us to believe, repent, and follow Him.
"Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him---
"Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified;
"Wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name, that they may come unto me and have everlasting life." (Doctrine and Covenants 45:3-5)
I am profoundly grateful to know that Christ is my Advocate, that He loves me and is pleading my cause. Knowing this gives me joy and fills me with energy.
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