Watch Out!

 August 28, 2024

“praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—” —Ephesians 6:18 

Watchful. It’s a hard word. When Jesus was praying in the garden of Gethsemane the night before his crucifixion, he chided his sleepy disciples with the words, “Can’t you watch with me for one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Matthew 26:41 

In those days, the watchman was the frontline of defense for a city. His job was to continually scan the horizon for any sign of an enemy. If he failed to do his job, the entire city was vulnerable to a surprise attack. It was such an important job that falling asleep was punishable by death. 

Today, our watchmen (and women) keep their eyes focused on computer screens and satellite surveillance, but the purpose is the same, as are the stakes in the game.

So when Paul tells us to watch in prayer, he isn’t only echoing Jesus, he’s reinforcing the critical nature of our prayers. Watching in prayer is our early warning system for the schemes and tricks of the Enemy of our souls, Satan himself. So stay alert when you pray! Fight off the drowsiness that so often descends upon us when we pray. The lives of those you love may be hanging in the balance.