Right now we are going through some difficult times, as a city, state, and nation. We are going through difficult times in our personal lives. I want to take the next 4 weeks to look at Peter’s life and the difficulties he had to face and how Jesus showed him what he needed to do.
You see Peter had some things to worry about. In fact, in Luke 22:31, Jesus told him “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.” In other words, you’re going to be tested with some very difficult situations and it’s going to reveal who you trust, who you are following. Jesus knew what was coming and Peter thought that he was trusting Jesus saying that he would die or go to prison for Jesus, but come to find out, Peter has some things still to learn.
As Christians, we don’t need to fear difficult situations, but we can learn what Peter learned so we don’t have to do it the hard way like Peter did.
In Matthew 26, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John into the Garden of Gethsemane and gives them a simple job: "Stay here and keep watch." Now, remember, just a few hours earlier, Peter told Jesus he was ready to go to prison or even die for Him! He was pumped up. He was self-reliant. He thought his own willpower was enough. But Jesus goes to pray, comes back, and what does He find?
Matthew 26:40-41 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Jesus is saying that there’s a connection between watching/praying and temptation. That as we watch and pray, it makes us resistant to temptation. How many of you want less temptation in your life? Watch and pray.
Peter thought he could handle the stress of that night on his own strength. But spiritual battles—like the division, the tension, and the heaviness we feel in St. Cloud and across Minnesota right now—cannot be won with human energy.
When we rely on our "flesh," we get outraged, we get tired, and eventually, we fall asleep to what God is doing. "Pray First" isn't just a slogan; it’s an admission. It’s saying, "Lord, if I try to handle this situation on my own two feet, I’m going to fall asleep. I need Your supernatural stamina to watch and pray."
But here is the best part of the story. While Peter was failing to "watch and pray," Jesus was winning the war. While the disciples slept, Jesus was on His knees, sweating drops of blood, staying awake to secure our salvation. He did what we couldn't do. He stayed alert so that even when we fail, we have a Savior who stands in the gap for us. Because He won the battle in the Garden and on the Cross, we don't have to pray for victory; we get to pray from His victory!
As we head into our prayer time today, I want us to be awake to what God is doing.
First, let’s be honest about our fatigue. If you’ve been trying to carry the weight of the world—or even just the weight of your own family—on your own shoulders, you’re going to be exhausted. Just tell Him, “Lord, my flesh is weak.” Help me watch and pray.
Second, let's pray from a place of victory. We aren't begging God to win; we are standing with the One who already has. Let's pray for St. Cloud and our nation, not out of fear, but out of the confidence that Jesus is already interceding for us. Let’s watch and pray together.