“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:41

It should be the goal of every Christian to live a life that is rooted and grounded in prayer; maintaining a devotion to pray not only for ourselves, but for others; careful to remain watchful… to avoid the human propensity to fall into a spiritual slumber…but alert to the Holy Spirit’s leading to pray at every opportunity.

In the scripture as Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane the disciples were left not far off to tarry and watch. “Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me.” Matthew 26:38. But he came and found them asleep . . . “And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41

As He prayed to the Father; His faithful followers were fast asleep. They could not keep their eyes open for one hour and watch as their Lord and Master prayed. He knew the bitter cup of death that He must drink, and the temptation the disciples would face during the coming days. They were missing and opportunity to pray for God’s mercy and strength. We too can fall into the same spiritual slumber when we should be praying for others and ourselves. The enemy of our soul knows that prayer is one of our most powerful weapons.

Jesus lovingly rebukes them knowing that their spirits were willing, but their flesh was weak. The Apostle Paul stated these words in Romans 7:25 “With my mind I serve the law of God, but with my flesh the law of sin.”  We can rest in the comfort that our Heavenly Father graciously considers this and accepts the willingness of the spirit. He sympathizes and forgives the weakness of our flesh; praise God that we are covered under God’s amazing grace.

May we diligently commit ourselves to prayer. The scripture reminds us in Luke 18:1 “And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;” God lovingly provides for all our needs; He is the comforter, keeper, and lover of our souls and able to give us the strength, and discernment that we need to stay steadfast before His throne of grace.

We are blessed with innumerable spiritual blessings; God has already bestowed upon us to be partakers of His eternal glory, through the merit and intercession of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ… may His grace and tender mercies continue to keep us in peace-striving steadfast in duty now and forever.

God blessings of peace, joy, and amazing grace to all.