Peter believed in his own fidelity more than in the word of Jesus. His impulsive tongue revealed his self-confidence. When told to watch and pray, Peter slept. Sleeping rather than praying is the immediate and direct cause of his fall. Prayer is the way of escape provided by God.
Prayer is the leader's first line of defense against temptation.
Jesus is the pastor's model. He was exceptionally busy, often having no time even for meals. But he did not sacrifice his prayer time. The demands upon him became a call to devote extra time to prayer. Having analyzed the three statements of Christ as He approached His death, we have seen that Satan preys on leaders, Christ prays for leaders, and leaders must pray.