We have reached the point in the history of the world that every believer ought to watch and pray. However, we also have to understand what it means and how to watch and pray.
36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, “Sit here while I go and pray over there.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.”
39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” 40 Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. Matthew 26:36-41
Jesus took His disciples to pray. In verse thirty-eight of our opening verse, He specifically said to Peter, James, and John to watch with Him. In other words, He wanted them to pray with Him. But He found them sleeping when He went to check up on them. They forgot that Jesus requested them to pray along with, but instead, fell into the temptation of the devil by sleeping.
We Watch And Pray When We Stay Focus On The Word
38 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” Matthew 26:38
We learn how to watch and pray when we remain resolute on the Lord’s instructions and at the same time, use it to pray to the Father. In other words, to watch and pray is to stay alert with God’s instructions (Word). The devil is always on the lookout to sway our hearts from the Word. You watch when you keep your heart and mind on the Word to the extent that, nothing is able to move you from the position of it.
I remember one day when the Holy Spirit instructed me to fast. Early in the morning of that day, I was offered breakfast in such a manner that hasn’t happened before. Forgetting that I had received an instruction to fast, I ate the food. Immediately after eating, I heard the voice – “were you not supposed to have fasted today?” – lol. I was like oh Lord, have mercy! I immediately asked for forgiveness and went on to fulfill the fast the following day guilt-free.
The point here is that I failed to fast because I didn’t watch and pray. Had I stayed on the Word from the moment I woke up, that wouldn’t have happened. Many have received God’s Word to do this or that, but for some reason, have abandoned the Father’s ways.
3 Now when the tempter came to Him, he said, “If You are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread.” 4 But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:3-4
Jesus demonstrated how we ought to watch and pray. When the tempter came, his goal was to sway the Lord from His task. But Jesus was resolute! He was aware of God’s will – making sure He didn’t allow the devil to obstruct His mission.
You watch and pray when you stand on the Word to fight the good fight of faith. Stay on the path the Holy Spirit is leading you. It is to the benefit of every believer not to just pray, but to watch and pray. It is watching that helps us to avoid being tempted. Many pray, but always end up falling into temptations. Be alert with the Word!
Failure to recognize the word of God in your daily endeavors might end up leading you to be tempted by the devil. So watch and pray – it is the only way to fulfill the will of God in your life. Stay blessed
Read Further: Colossians 4:2, 1 Peter 5:8
Prayer For Today
Holy Father, I thank you in the name of Jesus Christ for your Word that guides me into greener pastures. I thank you for the reassurance of your Word to prevent me from falling into temptations. Thank you for hearing me today- Amen!
