The times in which we live are tumultuous, stress-filled, and filled with wickedness. We can respond with fear and despair, or we can choose faith, hope, and obedience to what is good. Consider the warning Jesus gave to Simon Peter in Luke 22:31–32:

“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Scripture makes clear that difficult times are not unusual for God’s people. The Apostle Paul exhorts us to redeem the time, “because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16), and warns that “perilous times will come” in the last days. Therefore, we must fight the good fight of faith (1 Timothy 6:12).

Yet we are not left to fight alone. Praise God — our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is interceding for us (Romans 8:24; Hebrews 7:25). He knows our weaknesses. He understands our trials. And He faithfully sustains our faith so we will not grow weary and lose heart (James 1:12; Galatians 6:9).

Jesus told Peter that Satan desired to “sift” him. In biblical times, sifting wheat was a violent but purposeful process. The grain was beaten on a threshing floor to separate it from the chaff. It was then tossed and shaken so the wind could carry away what was worthless. Finally, what remained was strained through a sieve to remove every impurity. The goal of sifting was purification — preparing the grain for useful purpose.

So it is with us.

God uses trials and challenges to cleanse, refine, and prepare His people. Sifting is not destruction — it is preparation. It is how the Lord shapes us for greater usefulness in His kingdom. Notice Jesus’ words to Peter:

“When you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”

Refinement is never meant to end with us. We strengthen others by investing in their lives and using what we have learned through suffering to not only comfort them, but to “stir them up to love and good works.” The love, mercy, and grace God gives us in hardship become the very tools we use to encourage others.

Our culture is being sifted. Christians are being sifted. Some will emerge purified, strengthened, and matured in faith. Others will retreat into fear or cling to worldly substitutes. We would do well to remember Christ’s words — and His intercession — we can stand firm. Having done all, we stand firm (Ephesians 6:13) and pray fervently (James 5:16).

PLEASE THANK GOD:

• Give thanks that despite the turmoil around us, we have unshakable hope and a secure future in Jesus Christ.

• Praise God for His coming kingdom — that He will redeem the world and that every knee will bow to the King of kings.

• Give thanks for the growing awareness among believers that our unity is rooted in our shared faith in Jesus Christ.

• Give thanks for the increasing number of citizens who are standing and speaking boldly for faith, family, and freedom.

PLEASE PRAY:

• For State Senator Anderson, who will hold a press conference today (Feb. 17th) at noon regarding his bill, SB 3572, which would define a preborn human being as a “person” under Illinois law. Please pray for boldness, protection, and favor as he and others speaks. Pray that lawmakers and pro-life leaders will stand firmly for truth and give this life-affirming effort their full support.

• For boldness among believers — that pastors and Christians would proclaim the Good News with courage, clarity, and without reservation – especially on the sanctity of human life.

• For election integrity—that fraud and abuse would be exposed and stopped; that the U.S. Senate would pass the SAVE America Act.

• That the Lord would bring a Christian revival to Illinois, leading many women and men in high leadership roles to become followers of Jesus Christ and to submit both their lives and their political positions to His authority.

• That the Lord would frustrate the efforts of organizations and groups that seek to pass evil laws in Illinois, causing their schemes to fail.

• For our state lawmakers as they begin the legislative session. Pray that they would focus on laws and policies that honor God and help the families of the state.

• For Illinois Family Action and our legal challenge regarding the state’s obligation to clean up the voter rolls in our state.

• That God would raise up bold leaders in our churches who will not shrink back from engaging our culture for Christ.

• That Christians would use wisdom and discernment to understand the issues and be motivated to vote their biblical values in this year’s elections.

• That the U.S. Supreme Court would strike down bans on LGBTQ+ “conversion therapy” for minors in the Chiles v. Salazar case.

• That the Lord would block efforts to further expand access to abortion in Illinois and throughout the United States.

• That the Lord would bless the pregnancy resource centers that are serving various communities in Illinois and throughout the nation.

• That God would use His Church to uphold the truth about the sanctity of human life and His blessing of children.

• That our state lawmakers would be convicted by the Word of God and His law in every legislative decision that they make.

• For God to thwart the plans to legalize prostitution and psychedelic drugs in Illinois.

• Pray for the people of Illinois to heed the Father’s words: “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Pray For Those In Authority!

1 Timothy 2 tells us to pray for “all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” I invite you to join me and the staff at IFI in committing ourselves to praying for our state and federal lawmakers. With our state and nation in a financial crisis, our government officials will be making many tough decisions in the coming months. Proverbs 21:1 reminds us that the Lord can direct the hearts of those in authority.

Psalm 9:9-10 tells us, “The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You.”

Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe.” In ancient times, strong walls and towers provided security for citizens fleeing invading forces.

For IFI:

• Pray for God’s hand of protection and for the health of all members of the IFI staff and board of directors.

• Pray that God would continue to provide the resources we need to uphold truth in the public square.

• Pray that our efforts would be multiplied and amplified for His glory.

 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.

And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us an understanding,
that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ.
This is the true God and eternal life.
(1 John 5:19-20)