“But (Peter) kept insisting, ‘If I have to die with you, I will never deny you.’… Then (Jesus) came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’”  – Mark 14:31, 37, 38

Most of us probably know the famous story of Peter denying Jesus three times. And many of us probably also know that, not long before that, Peter promised he would die before he ever denied Jesus. This story stands as a crushing failure in the life of one of Christ’s most faithful followers. But between those two stories, there is another very important narrative that links the other two stories together and serves as a serious warning for you and me. Right after all the disciples promised they were ready to die with Jesus, Jesus took them away for a time of prayer. During that time, none of them could stay awake long enough to pray with him.

You see, Peter was willing to go to battle, but he was not willing to pray. And because of that, when the battle came, he discovered he was not ready at all. Before the physical battle takes place, the spiritual battle must take place. If we are to win the war on earth, we must first win the war in the heavenly places. In our desire to be people of action, we cannot forget that the first and most important action is to go to the Lord in prayer. If you are unwilling to start there, then you will find yourself ill-equipped when the fight begins.

Lord, we recognize today that we need Your strength. There is no battle we can win on our own. Give us the wisdom to know that prayer always comes first. Teach us that the most important battle takes place in the heavens.

In Christ’s Service,

Pastor Shane Cannon