Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Matthew 26:41
What is this concept of “watch and pray” that Jesus challenges the disciples with?
What are they to watch for? Is He speaking about the guards who are coming to arrest Him? I don’t think so. He attaches the idea of “watch and pray” to falling into temptation. It is a spiritual watching of some sort.
He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.””
Mark 14:34 NLT
Keep watch with me. It’s fascinating. I’ve never really meditated on the concept of “keeping watch.” Perhaps this was what Peter referred to when he penned 1 Peter to the persecuted believers.
So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”
1 Peter 1:13 NLT
Jesus had similarly warned Peter that night. He knew the spiritual battle Peter would face would be intense.
Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.””
Mark 14:37-38 NLT
Keeping watch was definitely a spiritual activity, not merely a physical one. The disciples were to keep watch with their spiritual eyes. They were to “be alert.” They were to “prepare their minds for action.”
Keep watch and pray.
Be aware of the spiritual battle. Be aware of your enemy. Be aware of his tactics and temptations.
Jesus directly connected “keeping watch” with not giving in to temptation.
How often do I really “keep watch and pray?” Jesus taught the disciples to include this in their prayer regularly.
And don’t let us yield to temptation, but rescue us from the evil one.”
Matthew 6:13 NLT
Be aware of the enemy. Be aware of temptation. Pray for deliverance, for protection.
Keep watch and pray.
This blogpost originally appeared at: Battle Ready: Preparation and Prayer – Sonlife and is based upon Sonlife’s study, Knowing Him / A 50 Day Study in the Life of Christ / Day 46