Watch and pray

“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” - Matthew 26v41

Jesus’ heart of compassion is moving. Even during these moments of intense emotions as He faced the faced the cross, His heart was on His disciples. He asked them to keep and eye out and pray while He went into the garden to pray Himself, but they could not stay awake even for this simple task. They still had not grasped the enormity of the situation they were facing.

Jesus could have attacked and berated them for their failure. Instead, He simple seemed moved and disappointed. “Couldn’t you even watch and pray for a little while.” We can almost sense His heart. He then chose to teach them, “Watch and pray. Your spirit may be willing, but your flesh is weak.”

We all know that is the case. We have all the best intentions, but good intentions fall far short because of the weakness of our flesh. What is the answer? The same as it was for the disciples – “Watch and pray.”

We can’t face our weak flesh alone. We must always be on guard watching out for the flesh, that is the practical part. But we must also pray, for that is all that take care of what we can’t do.
Watch and pray – great advice for the disciples, and for us.