Ephesians 6:18 “With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints,”
In this passage on spirirtual armor and warfare, Paul tells us to pray. This makes sense. God is our strength and protector. He is our general and He supplies us with what we need. He’s our comfort. We are to share our sorrows, concerns and requests.
The battle is spiritual. We need to learn how it works. Peter tried to fight a spiritual battle with an actual sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told him to put it down. Peter was so confused that the best he could do was follow Jesus at a distance. When he was recognized, Peter denied Him.
In this passage on spirirtual armor and warfare, Paul tells us to pray. This makes sense. God is our strength and protector. He is our general and He supplies us with what we need. He’s our comfort. We are to share our sorrows, concerns and requests.
The battle is spiritual. We need to learn how it works. Peter tried to fight a spiritual battle with an actual sword in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus told him to put it down. Peter was so confused that the best he could do was follow Jesus at a distance. When he was recognized, Peter denied Him.
Jesus had a conversation earlier that night with the disciples in Luke 22:31,32, “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” This reminds me of when Satan went to God and asked to test Job.
Matthew 26:40,41 tells us even more about that night. , ‘And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”’ Peter was about to enter the most intense time in history and he was completely unaware. Jesus tried to tell them of the gravity of the moment, but to no avail.
The description of Peter portrays a guy unaware and not concerned. Another problem is when we are so despondant that we become weak. Luke 18:1 says “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” Another passage says, “lose heart”. It’s as if the waves and current are so great that we give in to the greater power and stop trying. We are to still pray.
It’s like seeing a dog stuck in the middle of the freeway. The situation is very dangerous. The speeds are too great. The dog doesn’t have the experience to stop and start at the right times. The terror overrides and the animal bolts in the wrong way.
This paints a grave picture. However, God loves us and will keep us. However, He wants us to mature and become more active, aware and useful. We are to pray. We need His resources and His awareness. Peter could have played a greater part at the passion. We can do the same.
Lord help us always to pray. We don’t understand how all of this works with Your sovereignty, but You tell us to pray. All throughout scripture, You tell us to pray. Help us to do so.