Why didn’t my prayers work?

Big Ideas

• Many of us believe that we are saved by having right theology
• We want to have the attitude that, “Things are hard and dark, but they’re being made right.”
• We’re just like Peter.
• Peter repeatedly denies Jesus.
• Jesus’ response is to ask Peter to come pray with him, to give him company in his time of need.
• Jesus asks the Father for something he knows he won’t get.
• For all our denial, the God of everything gives himself over on your behalf.

Questions

• Do you feel like prayer “works?”
• What do you think God feels about you when you repeatedly deny him? How will he respond?
• What do you think about Jesus’ response to Peter? To pull him in closer?
• How much security do you place in having right theology?
• What do you think about the “infinite pile of crayons” analogy?
• Why Did Jesus ask for something he knew he wouldn’t get?
• Do you pray like that?
• Do you know the feeling of telling God you know he loves you?
• Have you felt peace after those desperate prayers?
• Does this response of Jesus to Peter change your view of God?