Sifted as Wheat

During the last supper, the disciples had a conversation about which of them was the greatest.  Jesus explains that it is the one "who rules like the one who serves" is the greatest in His kingdom.  Just after this Jesus states:

31Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. 32And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. - Luke 22:31-32 NIV

I believe there are some implications for us as believers:

1. As followers of Christ, we should expect to be sifted by Satan as well (note the words, "all of you").
   

   Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown. - Revelation 2:10 NIV, Christ's words to the Church in Smyrna

   Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God’s commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus. - Revelation 12:17 NIV

2. This is not without permission from the Father; since he is good, then the sifting is ultimately for our good.  Just as the sifting of the wheat would remove impurities from the grain.  Consider the sifting of Job by Satan at the word of the Father.
   

   28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified. - Romans 8:28-30 NIV

3. Christ is interceding for us and knows the outcome; because of this, we can have peace as we are sifted. Just as Christ's response to this knowledge was to turn to prayer, we also should turn to prayer. 
   

   4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. - Philippians 4:4-7 NIV

4. We have a responsibility to strengthen our brothers in their suffering.  The words here imply that Peter (Simon) would fail, but that he would be restored.  Christ knows the result and knows that Christian fellowship is critical to staying the course during trials of various kinds.
   

   34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. - John 13:34-35 NIV
   

   1Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. - Galatians 6:1-2 NIV