30 Days of Prayer for the Harvest

Day 21 – Sunday, February 1, 2026

Read Matthew 26:69-75

⁶⁹ Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, “You also were with Jesus of Galilee.” ⁷⁰ But he denied it before them all, saying, “I do not know what you are saying.” ⁷¹ And when he had gone out to the gateway, another girl saw him and said to those who were there, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth.” ⁷² But again he denied with an oath, “I do not know the Man!” ⁷³ And a little later those who stood by came up and said to Peter, “Surely you also are one of them, for your speech betrays you.” ⁷⁴ Then he began to curse and swear, saying, “I do not know the Man!” Immediately a rooster crowed. ⁷⁵ And Peter remembered the word of Jesus who had said to him, “Before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times.” So he went out and wept bitterly. (Matt. 26:69-75).

Today, in our worship service, I will be preaching Matthew 26:69-75, “Peter Denies Jesus.” I would like you to carefully read this passage today, both in preparation for hearing the word of God preached and as a prompt for you to pray. Please take time today to consider these questions about that passage:

What factors might have contributed to Peter’s denial of Jesus? (Matt. 26:33, 35, 40-41, 51, 56, 58)
Why do you think Peter denied the Lord despite earlier pledging his loyalty?
How do Peter’s denials progress or get more intense? How do his second and third denials compare to the first? What do the oath and curses show about Peter?
In what ways is Peter not acting like a disciple of Jesus?
How do you think Peter felt when the rooster crowed?
When have you said you wouldn’t fail the Lord, but you did?
In what way is denying Christ a result of not denying ourselves?
How did Peter react when he realized what he had done? What does this indicate about Peter?
How does Peter’s remorse differ from that of Judas (Matt. 27:3-5)? What is the difference between worldly regret and godly repentance (2 Cor. 7:9-10)?

We have concentrated this week on being people of the cross—disciples who deny themselves, take up their cross, and keep following Jesus. But we all know that, like Peter, there are times when we fail. There are times when we should have said we are followers of Christ, but we cowered in fear. Peter’s denials are all too familiar to us. But when they lead us to repentance and deeper faith, even our failures are a blessing from our loving Lord. They were for Peter.

Today’s Prayer

Father, You know me inside and out. You read the desires of my heart and the thoughts of my mind better than I do. You know what I am capable of—both good and bad. Search my heart today, try me and know my anxious thoughts, see if there be any wicked way in me. Cleanse me from all unrighteousness. Lead me in Your everlasting way.

Prepare me to worship You with Your church today. Let me rejoice in Christ my Savior and Lord. Let me hear and heed Your word as we read it, pray it, listen to it preached, and remember it at the Lord’s table. May I not be just a spectator, but a true participant in worshiping You.

Let our gathering as Your church equip and empower us by Your word and Your Spirit to live as people of the cross this week, showing Your love and truth to a lost world.

Amen.