Asleep On The Watch
"When He returned to His disciples He found them asleep. He said to Peter, 'So you could not keep watch with Me for one hour? Watch and pray that you may not undergo the test. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,'" Mt. 26:40,41
I think the disciples, if they had not fallen asleep, but prayed as they were told to do, would have fared better when the following events leading to the cross took place. I think this is the key for us as well.
Every Christian is continually exhorted to pray more. For a lot of us this is very frustrating. For we pray and we pray, but it seems to no avail. We still fall to the same temptations. We struggle with the same sins. Yet, I would propose that it is in the times when we feel the least is happening that there is actually very much that is taking place.
Like it or not, prayer is indeed the life breath of every Christian. We pray to live, and we live to pray. When we pray, we grow. We may not feel like we're growing, but we are. As we continue to pray, God draws us deeper. Pretty soon we realize that we have not fallen for the same temptation, and we have been struggling less with the same besetting sins. We have indeed grown, and conquered. It is only when we forsake prayer that we find ourselves in the same place once again.
As Lent approaches, it is the perfect time to renew our efforts at prayer. It will come in steps, but if we are faithful, we will find ourselves becoming strong in the power of the Lord. May He not find us asleep on the watch, but persevering in prayer, that His glory may be seen in each one of us!
I think the disciples, if they had not fallen asleep, but prayed as they were told to do, would have fared better when the following events leading to the cross took place. I think this is the key for us as well.
Every Christian is continually exhorted to pray more. For a lot of us this is very frustrating. For we pray and we pray, but it seems to no avail. We still fall to the same temptations. We struggle with the same sins. Yet, I would propose that it is in the times when we feel the least is happening that there is actually very much that is taking place.
Like it or not, prayer is indeed the life breath of every Christian. We pray to live, and we live to pray. When we pray, we grow. We may not feel like we're growing, but we are. As we continue to pray, God draws us deeper. Pretty soon we realize that we have not fallen for the same temptation, and we have been struggling less with the same besetting sins. We have indeed grown, and conquered. It is only when we forsake prayer that we find ourselves in the same place once again.
As Lent approaches, it is the perfect time to renew our efforts at prayer. It will come in steps, but if we are faithful, we will find ourselves becoming strong in the power of the Lord. May He not find us asleep on the watch, but persevering in prayer, that His glory may be seen in each one of us!
posted by Patrick at 5:22 PM
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