Football Strategies...

Scripture
Mark 14:37-38a - He came back and found them sound asleep. He said to Peter, "Simon, you went to sleep on me? Can't you stick it out with me a single hour? Stay alert, be in prayer, so you don't enter the danger zone without even knowing it.

What is the danger zone? This verse in the Living Bible says 'Lest the tempter overpower you." I think the danger zone is 'gray.' In life, some things are black and white. Most things are not...they have many shades of gray. Gray becomes the boundary between right and wrong. We all like to live life dangerously - how close to sin can we get without crossing the line? The danger zone. We are at risk in the danger zone. And, unfortunately, we can't complete avoid it...or won't. But there is an answer...

Those who know me at all, know that I am not a sports dude. But if we take an analogy from football we might find some help. Each football team has a defensive team and an offensive team. The defense keeps the other team from scoring and the offense moves the ball toward the goal. It is almost impossible to win a game without strength in both areas.

Here Jesus says to stay alert and pray. Alertness is our defense. We are on guard, trying to keep the enemy from gaining any grounds in our lives. We know from other parts of scripture that prayer is our offense. We move the ball down the field when we pray.

Father, help me to be alert to the movement of the enemy and prayer in each and every situation that he will have no room to wiggle in my life.