“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matthew 26:41 KJV)
Isn’t it interesting that prayer is of us, for us and about us? Consider that most prayer requests are about our circumstances, our needs and our stuff. And maybe that is the way it is supposed to be . . . for our concerns.
How much of our concern, however, is about Christ’s kingdom? Lost souls? Our own spiritual growth? When was the last time you heard anyone request prayer for a lost friend or relative?
In Gethsemane, Jesus asked his disciples to watch and pray while he went a little farther away to pray privately. His privacy was required because he was fighting his flesh and we do that alone with God. The disciples should have considered why Jesus wanted some privacy and maybe followed his example. I suppose they were too tired to think about it.
Since they failed to watch and pray, they awoke to face a challenge. They knew their spirits were right, but they had failed to bring their flesh into subjection. Two things occurred: fear and error. They were all ruled by fear. And Peter nearly got them all killed by his rash error.
We all know how easily it is to fall asleep and not prepare properly. Jesus came back from his praying to find his disciples sleeping. He awoke them and said, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41 KJV). If there is any scene in Scripture that expresses the weakness of humanity, this is it.
Note that our weakness usually drives our concerns. Here is something personal to pray about: strength to watch and pray; awareness of temptation and our tendency to be trapped by them; and a realization of our weak flesh. Yes, the zeal is there — our spirits are willing — but our flesh battles against our spirit.
The flesh is not to be a burden as we might consider it to be. Rather, it is our constant reminder of our dependency on a loving Father. It is a constant reminder to be vigilant and keep close communion with the Holy Spirit, who will control the flesh for us. Personal watchfulness connected with prayer is a powerful source of victory over temptations. Isn’t that what Jesus said should be our concern?
Dear Father, thank you for the Lord’s example of watchfulness in prayer. Enable us to follow his example in prayer and concern. This I pray in the name of Jesus. AMEN
Be courageous today in your concerns,