Peter’s Prayer Life
Photo credited to Xavier Horton
About halfway through the audio, a “frog” jumped in my throat (lol). “We know who” tried to interfere with the message, but God gets the glory!!!
Scripture
Matthew 26:36-56 describes the moment when Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. While it is important for us to read scripture in its entirety, we will focus mainly on verses 36-41. It states, “Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”
And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Soul Searching
During this moment in our biblical history, we see Jesus loving God with all his heart, soul, mind, and strength. Knowing what was to come, he said, “if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Having doubts and concerns regarding the call on our lives is a natural response; however, we must ultimately surrender to the will of the Father.
Again, this was an important lesson for Peter to learn; however, Peter had a lot to learn. Of course, many of us can relate. I know I can! For example, Peter was willing to “die with Jesus,” but he couldn’t do the one thing Jesus asked him to do: “Watch and pray.” In fact, he was found sleeping on the job! Can you believe that?
For years, I’ve judged him and that judgment kept me from seeing what was right in my face. It wasn’t Jesus who needed the prayers. It was Peter and the other disciples! Jesus said to them, “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” In other words, Peter knew how to fight physically and verbally, like so many know how to do today, but he didn’t know how to fight spiritually. That’s why he gave into his physical need and fell asleep when he was supposed to be watching for enemies and praying for strength.
As Christ followers, we must establish a prayer life. Prayer is how we communicate with God, and it’s how He communicates with us. My spiritual mentor, Mrs. Patricia Jefferson, always says, “After we pray, we need to pause and listen to what God is saying.” How many of us actually do that? When we do, we receive revelation. He renews our strength. He restores our soul. The fact is: He is the answer to every problem we have. “For in Him, we live and move, and have our being” (Acts 17:28NIV). In this life, “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). So, we must go to God in prayer. Up until the moment the soldiers took Jesus, Peter talked to our Lord and Savior directly for approximately three years. Whatever he needed, he simply had to ask Him, but his life was about to change. Jesus’ time was winding down on earth and Peter would soon be called into full-time ministry. It was important for him to establish a prayer life.
Think About It
So, I wanted Jesus to take care of Peter’s biases toward the Gentiles; however, Jesus wanted Peter to learn how to “watch and pray.” Think about it. Then, go to the Father, and pray about it.
#Soul Searching with Our Father#
Coming up Next
It’s time to wrap up this portion of our series!
