Previously, we looked at failure because of a lack of maturity. But there are other reasons why we fail in our personal lives and even in ministry. I saw this anonymous quote: ‘Starve your distractions, feed your focus.’ This could be a reason why we fail at those things where we desperately want to succeed: our distractions.
Matthew 26 gives an account of the activities leading to Jesus’ arrest and trial. Earlier, He shared His last meal with His disciples. He told them that one of them would betray Him. They were astonished and began asking, “Am I the one, Lord?” (verse 22) After their meal, they went to the Garden of Gethsemane at the foot of the Mount of Olives. While on the way, Jesus told them again that one of them would betray Him. “Peter declared, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I will never desert you.” Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” (verses 33-34) Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him a little further and asked them to pray. Jesus prayed, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.” (verse 39) Unfortunately, His disciples slept instead of praying; they starved their focus and fed their distractions.
Later, after Jesus was arrested, the disciples fled, and Peter followed Jesus from a distance. He found himself in the company of the temple guards warming himself. While he was there, three people accused him of being a follower of Jesus and three times he denied it. When the rooster crowed, it reminded Peter of Jesus’ words. “And he went away, weeping bitterly.”
Peter understood that he failed Jesus. Peter failed in his hour of temptation because he failed to pray. However, Peter found a place of repentance and asked for forgiveness. Peter recognized the error of his way and returned to the service of the Lord. Later, Peter preached the first gospel message where over three thousand people became born again. Failure is not always fatal.
Thought for Today: Friend, let us not fail in the place of prayer.
Have a blessed day and walk in faith and victory.
Victory Walk 