Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Luke 21:34-36 “But take heed to yourselves, lest your hearts be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness, and cares of this life, and that Day come on you unexpectedly. For it will come as a snare on all those who dwell on the face of the whole earth. Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
1 Thessalonians 5:6-8 "Therefore let us not sleep, as others do, but let us watch and be sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk are drunk at night. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
Jesus and the Apostles warned the believers to always be watching and praying, and they did so for many reasons. Watching & praying is absolutely vital for the church in the midst of this dark and deceived world!
Jesus’ command to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane still pierces the hearts of believers today. The Lord knows what each generation will face, and He gives us all the key to victory: STAY AWAKE SPIRITUALLY!
Definition of “WATCH”:
The Hebrew meaning for watch is “Shamar” which means to hedge about with thorns, to protect, to guard, to give careful attention. It has a sense of attentive guarding, fulfilling ones obligations, and maintaining a covenant duty. Other Hebrew terms like “Ashmurah” focus on a period of time, like a night watch, or specifically a watchman role.
The primary Greek word for watch is “Gregoreuo”, meaning to keep awake, be vigilant, give strict attention, and be ready against danger. It denotes a sense of active, conscious alertness- like a guard at night who must use all his senses and be ready for anything unseen.
Jesus said in John 16:13-15, “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine. Therefore I said that He will take of Mine and declare it to you.”
A prayer-less life misses out on the promises and fullness of the Holy Spirit’s work in and through our lives. Staying in fellowship with the Lord keeps us not only in step with God’s mighty plan, but steps AHEAD of the enemies plan, and destruction.
Ezekiel 22:30 “So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.”
Will you be a watchmen who will stand in the gap? The Lord has need of your voice!
Paul said in Colossians 4:2, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.”
Prayer is not just talking, it is getting into agreement and alignment with the purposes of ALMIGHTY GOD! It positions us to hear His voice, and to perceive what He is doing. Prayer keeps us standing firm against deception and compromise. Let’s be vigilant and continue in it earnestly!
Peter said in 1 Peter 5:8, “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
Being alert and being prayerful go hand in hand. Prayer brings us into attentiveness and sensitivity to the Holy Spirit, aware of His flow and plan. It builds a fortress around our minds and keeps us anchored in the storm.
Luke 12:37 “Blessed are those servants whom the master, when he comes, will find watching.”
We are living in days that demand us to be spiritually sober and alert! Many have fallen asleep spiritually, and many more will continue to do so. But Jesus calls BLESSED, the servants whom He will find WATCHING when He returns. Watching and praying is how we keep our lamps filled with oil. It’s how we guard the fire on the altar. It’s how we stay in step with the Holy Spirit. Let the Holy Spirit sharpen your discernment and keep your heart burning. This is not a time for slumber, it’s a time for awakening!!!
Prayer keeps our spiritual union and vitality strong.
Jude 1:20-25 “But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh. Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. To God our Savior, who alone is wise, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.”
Prayer is the lifeline of our relationship with God. It is through prayer that we remain connected to the true Vine, Jesus Christ, who said, “Without Me, you can do nothing” John 15:5. When we pray, we draw from His strength, His wisdom, His power, and His love. Prayer is not a dry, boring, religious duty! it is communion with the Living God! It nourishes our inner man, keeps us sharp in life, and keeps our hearts tender before Him.
We are called to deep fellowship and communion with the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. How do we keep ourselves in the love of God? One of the most powerful ways is through prayer.
Without a life of prayer we become weak and dry. We grow disconnected. Our pursuit of knowing Him wains, and we will fall into like-warmness. But the heartfelt, fervent prayer of a righteous man or woman avails much!!!
In union with Him, His very presence and glory become the atmosphere we carry. We are saturated in wisdom, knowledge and grace. We hear His voice, and have His divine persuasion, discernment and guidance in all things.
Prayer keeps us alert.
Matthew 16:19 “And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
A praying person is a watchful person who understands the authority given to them. Jesus said, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation” Matthew 26:41. Prayer sharpens our spiritual senses, keeping us alert to the promptings of the Holy Spirit, and aware of the enemy’s tactics.
When we live a life of prayer, the Holy Spirit keeps gives us divine discernment. He opens our eyes to see beyond the natural, revealing truth in areas it seemed hidden, and exposing deception where others weren’t able to see it. As Jesus promised, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth… and He will tell you things to come” John 16:13.
As your life becomes saturated in prayer, you find it easier to guard your heart. You are stronger against the temptations of the flesh and the enemy. Your discernment remains sharp. You see things others don’t see. You are alert and prepared to trample the works of the devil, in the Mighty Name of Jesus.
Prayer leads us to lift up others.
Ephesians 6:18-19 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints—and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel.”
Colosians 4:3-4 “Meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”
As we remain alert and yielded in prayer, the Holy Spirit puts certain brothers and sisters on our hearts. We will feel their burdens, and be able to help them breakthrough in the Spirit. He knows what they are going through, their needs, and the seasons they are in. As we are close to the Lord, He teaches us how to pray for others with true compassion and breakthrough anointing!
When someone comes to your mind and heart during prayer, that is not a coincidence. Follow His leading! He is calling you to help carry them through. Pray as He directs, and fervently agree with His purposes for them to be fulfilled. He may not give you all the details about their situation, but He will give you the urgency to pray through. “And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” Romans 8:27.
As we do this, we are strengthening the Body of Christ, and fulfilling the command to “Bear one another’s burdens.” Galatians 6:2.
Prayer compels our hearts to cry out for the lost.
Matthew 9:37–38 Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest”
1 Timothy 2:1-4 “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in [b]authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and [c]reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
When our hearts are in tune with the Father through prayer, we feel what He feels. His love for the lost burns within us. The Spirit compels us to pray for those who do not yet know Him, to cry out for mercy, for salvation, and for hearts to be open to receive the truth!
Through prayer, we join in His beckoning heart’s cry for souls. The Holy Spirit will also lead us to pray specifically for individuals, regions, and even nations, birthing revival and awakening through our obedience in intercession!! Be faithful to the call!!!
Prayer:
Lord, I awaken my spirit, soul and body to watch and pray. I commit to partnering with you in authority, and in victory over my life, my family, my church, my city, and the nations. Sharpen me! Sharpen my discernment and keep my heart alert. I partner with You and the purposes of Heaven in prayer! I commit to standing in the gap. I am a faithful watchman on the wall. I will be strong in the midst of temptation. I commit to being ALERT, and to being a mighty force in faith filled prayer. I commit my focus on you, and diligently praying out your will on the earth. I commit to being steadfast, as I declare, “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done!!” I will be found faithful when you return, in Jesus Mighty Name, Amen.