Watch And Pray
OPENING PRAYER:
Gracious God and Father, I feel so tired because of the turmoil and issues of life. When I watch the news and read the papers, it only brings more destress. Please help me to center my focus on You and the truth of your Word, so that I may understand your will and purpose as I navigate life during these challenging times!
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Mark 14:37-38 (NIV)
REFLECT:
Mark records for us one of the most stressful periods in the life of Jesus. The exhilaration of the Triumphal Enter has passed and He and the twelve have shared in the Last Supper. He has arrived with The Eleven at the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus now experiences the struggle of his life. A struggle between His human nature and the realization of the torture of a cross. He asked the disciples to remain vigil as He went on further to pray. We are privy to his words which clearly reveal His heartfelt anguish. But the disciples were tired and fell asleep. At this point, Jesus admonishes Peter to watch and pray to avoid falling into temptation.
This is such a human moment and a reality that is all too personal to us all. We know what we aught to do, but too often in our humanness, we just don’t seem to be able to find the strength, stamina, or resolve to make it happen. We need to be honest with ourselves and the people around us, that we are too often weak and fall short. James states it in this manner: “Admit your faults to one another and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results” (James 5:16, TLV). If we want to grow in spiritual strength, then we need to live in community with other Jesus Followers. And what is equally important, we need to become more transparent and admit that we often miss the mark in our walk with Christ.
APPLY:
As you go about living and working today, look for at least one area in your life where you are falling short in your walk with Jesus. Be honest with yourself, and then courageously share that fault with a safe confidant. Trusting God to help bring healing and spiritual strength.
CLOSING PRAYER:
Thank you, Jesus, for everything. I pray that I listen to your spirit and Word today. Help me to honor you in everything I do.
WORSHIP: