"Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift 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)

Has a passage of scripture ever knocked you over the head as if it were a baseball bat? Recently in my Monday night small group I stumbled over this passage as we were discussing the strengths and weaknesses of Peter while reading the book "Twelve Ordinary Men" and since then, this verse has given me many moments of reflection.

In this passage, Jesus is telling Simon Peter that he is about to go through some intense testing at the request of Satan. The Disciples are reclining at the table partaking in the Last Supper. They had been arguing over which one of them would be the greatest and the Lord turns to Peter and tells him that Satan has specifically asked His permission to shake him to the very core.