iPray
Watch and Pray

Scripture Reading:  Mark 14:37-42

Key Verse: Mark 14:38

Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

When Jesus found His followers sleeping when they were supposed to be praying, He woke them with a warning.  His message to them was that prayer was needed to battle the temptations that were sure to come.  The nature and intensity of temptation would overcome even these that walked side by side with Jesus if they did not pray.  The disciples did not heed Jesus’ words and when the heat of temptation came, they collapsed.

          Isn’t there an obvious lesson from us in this story?  Isn’t it crazy to think that we are strong enough to battle the temptations of the day without a divine power working in us?  Prayer is our door to this divine powerhouse!  Taking time to pray each morning is preparing us for the battles that are sure to come.  Many people moan about their failure in the battles of temptation.  They say things like, “I just can’t do it…I just can’t stop myself from sinning.”  Yet, when questions are asked about their preparation for temptations’ battles, the answer is almost always the same: No preparation was consistently done.  To be strong in any battle, there must be a consistent and authentic prayer life going on in the life of a believer.

Father, I will add the daily discipline of prayer to my determination to live a life worthy of your grace!  In Jesus’ name, amen.