Watch and Pray

“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”  Mark 14:38

I get the whole “bow your head and close your eyes when you pray” thing.  I really do.  The posture of reverence shows respect and darkness limits distractions, but, since prayer is a conversation, and since this conversation should be constant (as in “Pray without ceasing”), most of our praying should be done with eyes wide open.

In Ephesians 6:18 Paul reminds us to “be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints.”  To be alert is to be vigilantly watchful—aware of situations and surroundings.  To always keep on praying means to be continually turning our thoughts into prayers. In other words, “Watch and pray.”  This line of advice comes straight from Jesus’ admonition in the garden called Gethsemane.

“He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,’ he said to them. ‘Stay here and keep watch’”(Mk 14:35).  Jesus bared the burden of His soul to His three closest friends and asked for their support during His heaviest hour, but His plea to watch didn’t work because they were soon snoring. “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.’”(Mk 14:37-38).

While a bit earlier Jesus had said only to “watch,” he now instructed them to “watch and pray.”  Why both? What is it about the combination of watching and praying that keeps us from sleeping and straying? Could it be that temptation diminishes when we focus on the power and purpose of God? Could it be that the mere trifles of the temporary seem less appealing as we consider the eternal? Perhaps such is so….

When we watch the world around us, we see the marvel and beauty of God’s creation—and we offer our adoration.

When we watch the world around us, we see the needs of others near and far—and we lift up our petitions.

When we watch the world around us, we sense the grandeur of God’s sovereignty—and we respond in humble submission. 

When we watch the world around us, we realize we are powerless to affect lasting change—and we call on the One who can.

When we watch the world around us, we see the constant provision of a caring Father—and we give Him our gratitude. 

As the old song says, “It takes two to make a thing go right,” and it takes both recognition and response to keep us awake, alert, and on the right path. Don’t let distractions or despair lull you to spiritual slumber.  Lift up your head, open your eyes, and pour out your heart.

Watch and pray.

The Graduate (Round 2)

On Saturday, my middle daughter graduates from high school. 

I write these words more to convince myself than to inform others because the reality of this event seems elusive.  It’s hard to wrap my head (and heart) around the fact that come the end of summer, another spot at the table will be empty, another bed will stay perfectly made, the laundry load will decrease, and my prayer load will increase.  In other words, it seems impossible that Camille will be in college.

I named my girl after the bright beauty of a flower, not the howl of a hurricane (though, at times, both were fitting—just ask the nursery volunteer specifically assigned only to her each Sunday morning), but from the moment she was born, she has loved to be with people and wanted to be connected and engaged.

God filled her with a desire to dance, and if she hears music, she has to move.  From the time she could toddle, she was twirling to whatever tune was playing. She danced in her car seat.  She danced in the dressing room.  She danced in the grocery aisle.  She danced at home.  She danced at church.  She danced in the yard.  She danced in the street, so, finally, her parents signed her up for “real” dance class where, each week, with a huge smile and happy eyes, she danced across the studio floor and onto the recital stage. But I’ll mostly remember the day she danced on the bleachers. 

She was five or six, and the Newsboys were in concert at Cypress Gardens. She was captivated by the sights and sounds (and the spinning drummer), but she came most alive when the band began to play “It Is You.”  Standing on top of the bleachers, swaying to the rhythm, with her small hands and little face raised to the sky, she sweetly but boldly sang, “It is You, we adore.  It is You, praises are for.  Only You, the heavens declare, it is You.  It is You.”

By God’s grace, she’s still singing and dancing to that same theme as she dons her cap and gown and turns her tassel on Saturday, and, by His unceasing grace, that refrain will repeat over and over in her affections and actions as she packs her car, moves into the dorm, dines at the cafeteria, dashes to class, and embraces the coming years of coffee-fueled study sessions, late night donut runs, long research papers, Navs Bible studies, intramural sports, and lots of fun with friends—both old and new. 

I can’t say I’m ready to let her go.  I will miss her sleepy smiles in the mornings and her strong hugs at night.  I will miss her laugh and her sparkle.  I will miss her asking about my day and answering questions about hers.  I will miss watching her swim, study, play tennis, read books, cheer for friends, listen to music, chat with her younger sister, and dance. I will miss our movie nights and beach days. I will miss her enjoyment of coffee and excitement over brownies.  I will just miss her.  But I wouldn’t want her to miss out on a moment of what’s ahead.  Her favorite Bible verse has always been Ephesians 2:10—“For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works that God has prepared in advance for us to do.”  As good as my plans for her may be, they can never compare to the great adventure God has already arranged, so, though my tears may fall, my heart is full.

God made something special when He fashioned you, my precious Camille, so go and grow.  Stay bright.  Be bold. Keep smiling. Never stop dancing.

And know that your momma loves you dearly.

Drenched

Not sure ‘bout where you live, but it’s mighty dry ‘round these parts.

Due to the lack of rain, grass is withering, trees are dying, and wildfires are blazing. Yard sprinklers can only do so much for the parched ground, and the bit of moisture they drop on a few scattered lawns has little impact on surrounding woods and lakes.  We need more than a shower.  We need a good drenching.

I hadn’t heard that word in a while, but my pastor used it last Sunday when he prayed for a fellow minister to be drenched in God’s Word.  Perhaps it was the arid air that made the reference so appropriate, but much more likely, and much more honestly, it was the dryness in my soul that caused the phrase to catch my ear.

I need to be drenched.  As of late, with the school year ending, one daughter graduating, one finishing her junior year, one completing her sophomore year in college, tennis districts, dance recital, prom, faculty meetings, and a slew of appointments, activities, and deadlines with work and church, my morning alarm has somehow crept later and later to allow for as much sleep as possible.  The result has been that the flow of God’s Word into my heart has been like the rain—diminishing. 

As I told my sweet friends at small group, sometimes it seems like I’m living off the “Verse of the Day” from my Bible app.  Thank God for that, but our souls need much more.  They need to be drenched instead of just catching a few drops from the sprinklers.

Our Father understands the seasons of our lives, and our bond with Him is a personal relationship—not a contract based on punching a time clock or checking boxes, but close relationships are created by intimacy, and intimacy is built by connection.  With God, that connection comes mainly and most through the sweet time of soaking in what He says and talking with Him about it in prayer. As His gracious Word falls on our dry or weary hearts, we are nourished and strengthened.  We are guided and encouraged.  We grow in knowing Him more and more, and His life overflows onto those around us. Sprinklers will do for a short time, but we need serious rain for the long haul, and that can only come from above.

The weather forecast may be for “hot and dry,” but God’s Word always calls for a good drenching.

“Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord. He will come to us like the rain—like the spring rains that water the earth.” Hosea 6:3