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.