Pray Before you Slip

Pray Before you Slip

Christian Soul Care Devotional

“Inviting God’s touch in your soul”

By Bill Gaultiere


Thank you Lord that “By the word of your lips… My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped” (Psalm 17:4-5).

I experienced the truth of David’s words on a rainy morning earlier this week. The rain had stopped and the sun was shining so I got out my bike to do a training ride for the upcoming triathlon race I’m doing with my son. I wanted to see if I could push myself to ride hard and fast for about an hour. The path was still a little slick in some places so I told myself to be careful.

As I rode I got absorbed in the delightful fresh, clear air and the beauty of blue skies, trees, and the back bay of the ocean. And I was enjoying meditating on a line from a prayer I wrote, inspired by Psalm 139:9:

“By the Spirit I rise on the wings of Christ’s dawn – the Father’s right hand holds me fast.”

Riding my bike on a wet path that morning I could relate to those words! I prayed that the Father’s right hand would hold me fast so that I wouldn’t slip and fall off my bike!

I was pedaling hard, probably going about 17 miles an hour as I headed into a turn on the bike path when all of a sudden my tire slipped on the wet asphalt and I started skidding! Oh no! Thank God I held the pavement – just barely! – and I didn’t wipe out. I probably would’ve gotten quite banged up.

Relieved, I continued cycling. Then it dawned on me that I had just prayed for the Father’s right hand to hold me fast! Wow! The Father’s hand had indeed held me fast just like I asked! I experienced what the Psalmist says again and again: when we put our confidence in the Lord as we do what whatever we’re doing then we see that his right hand is reaching down from the heavens to help us.

Watch and Pray with Jesus

Pray before you slip. That’s the lesson I was reminded of. It’s part of the Lord’s Prayer that Jesus taught us: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13). It’s what Jesus told Peter to do before Peter denied him: “Your spirit is willing to do the right thing, but in your natural abilities you are weak and you’re not ready to do what you want. So watch and pray to become the kind of person who won’t fall into temptation” (Matthew 26:41, paraphrase).

As you know, Peter fell asleep on Jesus when he needed to watch and pray so he fell into denying his Lord. He fell into running away to hide. Then he fell into depression. But afterward Peter did learn to watch and pray with Jesus and so in the book of Acts and in Peter’s epistles we see Peter not falling, but standing strong in his faith through many persecutions and trials, even to the point of being crucified for Jesus upside down.

Where Might you Slip?

Where are you vulnerable to slip and fall in the days ahead? Pause to identify your struggle… Hurting someone with a sharp tongue? Worrying? Being judgmental? Complaining? Overworking? Eating too much? Having a couple of drinks? Looking at pornography?

Don’t just resolve to do better next time – that never works! “Trying harder just gets you more of the same” is a wise adage. Peter’s problem in denying Christ wasn’t lack of will power – he was very willful! Peter’s problem was that he directed his will to rely on himself. He hadn’t trained his will to rely on Christ with him.

Take Hold of Christ’s Hand Now

Learn what Peter learned: admit your weakness and watch and pray with Jesus. “Train yourself to be godly” (1 Timothy 4:7). Rely on Christ to help you to become a different kind of person on the inside.

Imagine yourself in the slippery situation of what tempts you… See the hand of the Lord reach down to you from the heavens… Take hold of it… Keep holding Christ’s hand… Pray to become the kind of person who doesn’t find satisfaction in anger or alcohol or _______, but in holding the hand of Christ…

If you pray this way about your specific struggle – and you do this over time with the help of Scripture and a soul friend – then you will not slip!

Soul Shepherding for Ministry Leaders

Where does a pastor go for a safe place? To receive spiritual encouragement? Every month Kristi and I meet with dozens of pastors, pastors’ wives, and other ministry leaders to encourage them in their lives and ministries. We are following our calling from God to devote our careers to offering Soul Shepherding for people who minister to others. We’d like to share our vision with you and how you can be a part!

Come on Retreat with Me
On Saturday June 5th from 9 am to 12:30 I’m leading a free morning retreat, “Breathe with Jesus” at the Crystal Cathedral. I will teach you how using Breath Prayers can free you from worry and distress, ushering in God’s peace. To learn more about this or other upcoming classes and retreats I’m leading go to our Soul Shepherding Calendar.

Let’s Connect Online
Sign up for our new Soul Shepherding Blog which features a prayer exercise in a short e-mail 1-2 times per week.


Let’s be friends online: I post a ministry update and an abiding prayer daily on my Facebook and Twitter.

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Blessings,

Bill & Kristi


William Gaultiere, Ph.D. ~ Psychologist & Spiritual Director
Kristi Gaultiere, Psy.D. ~ MFT & Spiritual Director
www.ChristianSoulCare.com: “Inviting God's touch in your soul”
www.SoulShepherding.org: “Ministering to pastors & leaders”
949.262.3699