There's an interesting sequence of events leading up to Peter's denial of Christ. First, Jesus warned Peter that he was a target: "Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren" (Luke 22:31-32 NKJV). Next we read that when the authorities came to arrest Christ, Peter "followed at a distance" (Luke 22:54 NIV). Notice, Peter had grown distant from Christ. Then the man who swore he'd die for Jesus denied knowing Him. At that point the rooster crowed, Peter remembered his promise to Jesus, and "went out, and wept bitterly" (Luke 22:55-62 NKJV).

Observe how it works a) You're unprepared for Satan's attack when it comes. (b) You allow work and family pressures to cause you to forget that your first commitment must always be to God. (c) You end up Spiritually defeated. You say, "That will never happen to me." That's what Peter said! The reason "Satan has asked for you", is because he knows that when you become passionate about God's purposes, you're unstoppable. Indeed, the very desire that's burning within you right now is the fuel that enables you to withstand his attacks.

There's a reason the crucifixion has been referred to as 'The Passion'. The Bible says of Christ: "Who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2 NKJV). Even as He was dying, Jesus was ministering to others. That's passion! So the Word for you today is, "Don't lose your passion for God."