Watch and Pray

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  Mark 14:38 (NIV)

Jesus was struggling through His dark hour.  He spent the hours laying His heart out to God.  He was driven to His knees.  No thought of sleep even entered His mind.  His followers on the other hand could not keep themselves awake.  Their tiredness overtook them and they dozed off every time Jesus left them for even a short while.  Their company was not the best in this trying time for our Savior.  When He needed them closest, their human bodies let them down.  They gave in to their exhaustion and the much needed rest.  Surely they heard their Master´s encouragement to stay with Him in vigilance and prayer.  But they could not muster up the strength of will or effort to stay up with the Lord that night.

The pages turn and time goes by.  We find ourselves today in dark hours too.  Could we be passing through another moment like that night in Gethsemane?  Is the current condition of the world, the political scene, and the state of men´s hearts, much like those trying times for our Lord?  Do His words of encouragement come again to our ears?  “Watch and pray!”  He said.  But could we take those words to heart?  Could they move within us today?  Is our Savior forever urging us to be vigilant?  Is He speaking directly to us?

We may be tired.  It is exhausting being bombarded day after day with a million tedious chores and so much stress.  Our hearts can find no peace within the pace of society where we live.  So we find ourselves run down.  Yet for the Christian, is there a fire that still burns?  Do we feel a yearning deep within us?  Is there something within our spirit which keeps us going?  Does it fight to keep us from falling asleep?

Jesus says, “The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”  Is He describing us?  Should we be praying now for strength to come from above?  Could we ask for help so that our weak frames may receive the strength of will to remain vigilant?  Should we pray diligently?  Should we pray continually?  Should we beseech our Lord for what we lack?  Could we ask Him to help us stay alert?  Should we recognize that it is our enemy´s desire to make us tired?  Should we know that to give in and relax now is to let him have his victory over us?  Is Jesus still urging us to stay close to Him?  Does He want us by His side through these dark times?

Are there others around us whom have already drifted off to rest?  Are we going to let the same thing happen to us?  Shall we join our Savior in prayer today?  Shall we make a gallant effort to remain awake?  Where will we go to find the strength?  What will we do about our Savior´s words right now?  Will our tired bodies get the better of us?  Will we hear our Master´s words and do nothing but hope feebly we will carry out His wishes?  Or will we leap at the chance to kneel by our Lord´s side?  Will we call on whatever help He can give us?  Will we make sure that we do not leave Him now, not even for a moment?

Dear God the Father, Your Son has asked us to be vigilant.  He encourages us to stay with Him and pray.  Our feeble earthly bodies will not let our spirit continue with our wishes to comply.  Please send us help today!  Please give us strength and victory over our selves!  Our spirit reaches up to You.  Please enable it to remain by our Savior´s side throughout this dark night!  Please help us to stay awake!  Please show us how to pray!  Please bring us through to that glorious morning, faithful and true to our Savior´s wishes for us!

Amen