"Watch And Pray"

"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41

"Watch and pray". During Jesus' time of agony before His crucifixion He took His disciples with Him to the garden to pray. What were the disciples doing while He was praying? They were sleeping. Jesus warned them to "watch and pray". Not only was Jesus about to go through His greatest time of suffering- the fulfillment of His purpose for coming to earth was at hand- the disciples faith was going to be sorely tested that night as well. They would see the One they believed was the Messiah taken by angry men, beaten, accused of crimes against heaven, brought before a wicked judge, condemned and crucified. They would be tested as they watched the One they had put their hope in die on a cross. Peter would be tempted to deny that he even knew Jesus. They would be tested as to whether they would remain loyal and follow Him wherever He went- even if it was to death.

The word "watch" means: to give strict attention to, be cautious, active to take heed lest through remission and indolence some destructive calamity suddenly overtake one. The disciples' faith was tried that night- calamity was "rocking" their world- this is why Jesus told them to watch and pray. Had they been doing that instead of sleeping their response during the events of the night might have been different.

We are living in a time that the Bible calls "perilous". End time events are unfolding all around us- calamity, temptations, persecutions, deception, instability in nature, in the economy, in health are coming in greater proportions. This is not a time for us to be asleep. We must heed the warning of Jesus to watch and pray like we never have before. We must make that our motto. We must be constantly on the alert. We must not take what we see happening lightly. It is time for us to wake up and arise from our slumber. As the disciples slept an angry crowd came breathing down their necks to take Jesus. They were abruptly awaken in a state of confusion. The Bible tells us of another group that was awaken from sleep and unprepared for what was upon them-- the five foolish virgins.

Are you asleep or awake? Are you watching and praying? Are you giving attention to the events, the reports, the things that are taking place around you? Or are you rolling over and going back to sleep like the disciples did- not giving heed to the warning? Those who are wise will heed the warning of Jesus to watch and pray. Are you one of those wise ones this morning?

Have a great day. Wake up--- watch and pray!