Kingdom Tension Part 5
At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Tension,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.
In our ‘Kingdom Tension’ series, we have been saying that the church is ultimately about relationships. Relationship with God, relationship with the people of God, and relationship with those who do not yet know Jesus. These relationships are developed in the context of worship, discipleship, fellowship, and ministry in the tension of the now and not yet. Today, we are going to talk about prayer.
Acts 2:42-43 (NIV)
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone was filled with awe, and the apostles did many wonders and miraculous signs.
Among these pillars of spiritual life, prayer stands out—not just as a ritual, but as a devoted connection to the living God. At its core, the heart of our prayers—both personally and corporately—must be about connecting with God so that we can more fully live in Him and for Him.
Yet, prayer often becomes the one thing we neglect. Why? Because life is noisy. We’re surrounded by obligations, distractions, devices, and demands that compete for our attention. In the rush, prayer becomes a box we check—whispered over meals or mumbled in exhaustion at night. Though our spirit may be willing, our flesh, like the disciples in the garden, is weak (Matthew 26:40–41). Jesus’ gentle rebuke to Peter, “Could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” echoes into our hearts today. It wasn’t a scolding—it was an invitation. An invitation to be with Him in the most challenging moments, to draw near, and to stay awake in spirit.
Peter loved Jesus. He meant it when he said he would never fall away. But in the moment when Christ needed him most, Peter was sleeping. Isn’t that often us? We desire to follow Jesus, love Him, and serve Him. But our schedules, our fatigue, and sometimes even our guilt or sense of unworthiness pull us away from simply being with Him in prayer.
Prayer isn’t just about asking for things—it’s about aligning our hearts with God’s. It’s how we abide. It’s how we hear His voice. It’s how we allow Him to form us into His likeness. When we devote ourselves to prayer—like the early church did—we’re not just following a practice but engaging in a relationship.
So let us remember: prayer must not be our last resort, but our first response. When we make time to pray, even in weakness, God meets us with strength. He honors our desire, and He draws near. Let’s not just offer up quick words; let’s return to the One who asked, “Could you not give me an hour?” and respond with renewed devotion.
This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.
Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.
