ARE YOU WATCHING AND PRAYING?
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.
Gethsemane was a difficult time for Jesus. The Mount of Olives where Gethsemane was at grew olives and also pressed them, so the oil could be used. This night Jesus would experience a pressing of his own. Infact in Luke 22:44 it says that, “In anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.” It was a time of reflecting on the moment and the cross. In a short time the sinless son of God would become a sin offering for all humanity. The one who knew no sins would become a sin offering for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God. (IICor 5:21) In just a short time as Jesus hung on the cross he would cry out, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?
We can’t imagine the gravidity of the moment when Jesus bore our sins, and took our shame upon himself. It is no wonder that his soul was overwhelmed. It was at this time that he desired the comfort of his three closest disciples Peter, James and John. He took them off to the side, and told them to watch and pray so they wouldn’t fall into temptation. But it had been no doubt a long and grueling day, especially with all that happened at the Passover meal. I am sure like any of us the night was late and the garden was cool perfect to sleep. I am sure that they didn’t want to let Jesus down by falling to sleep, but sometimes that's easier to say than to do. How many times have we started to pray before we were to go to sleep, and fell asleep before we had finished our prayer? I am sure that Satan and the powers of darkness had a lot to do with our sleepfulness and that of the disciples. Whatever the reason, they were to not pray for Jesus but for themselves. Often we think that Jesus wanted prayer for himself, but it was for them. He said, “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation? Well, sad to say they all did that night and the days to follow.
Jesus knew that before the night was over they all would be abandoning him and running for their lives. Later Peter would even deny knowing Jesus three times. Only John would go to the cross with Jesus to be with him and his mother Mary.
What we need to remember is that everyone of us daily live in the crosshairs of Satan, the powers of darkness and the evil of this world. They could care less if we are asleep or not. They don’t care if we are little children, or senior citizens with one foot in the grave. We are like so much chum in the ocean filled with hungry sharks. The thing is we need to remember that we are not without hope and power. Jesus has given us his authority over Satan, the powers of darkness. We need to be ever watchful for their attacks and temptations. If we are sleeping we will certainly pay the price and regret it! This is one reason why we need to have prayer warriors praying for us just like the apostle Paul requested for. Regarding prayer he said in Ephesians 6:18-20, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints. Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.
If the apostle Paul would want this for himself and others, how much more should we for ourselves? Whenever we start thinking about something for no particular reason that should be a signal for us that the Holy Spirit wants us to pray about that matter. It is no little thing to become a prayer warrior for the Lord. This is something to be taken very seriously. It could be a matter of life and death. The Holy Spirit knows what Satan and the powers of darkness are thinking. He can have us intercede on behalf of someone or something before Satan and the powers of darkness can put it into action. Many times immature Christians will not be in prayer, and even mature Christians unable to. They could be sick or distracted.
We can pray in our own understanding under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, or we can pray in the gift of tongues given by the Holy Spirit. If you do not have the gift of tongues all you have to do is to ask for it. I find it indispensable. Where words can often fail or insight into a matter, the Holy Spirit always know how to pray. If you have never done it before as you go into prayer just begin saying whatever comes out from your heart. Try not to think about words, sounds or what another person says when they speak in tongues. It may sound strange at first but trust the Holy Spirit. He will not let Satan and the Powers deceive you. Beside they don’t want to have you giving glory to God for something that they did.
Prayer: Holy Spirit, please help us to always be in prayer whether it is with our own understanding,or in the gift of tongues that you enable us to have. Please help us to become people of prayer. We ask this in Jesus’ name.
