Watch and Pray

40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. He asked Peter, “So, couldn’t you stay awake with me one hour?” Matthew 26:40

Jesus doesn’t ask the disciples to solve the situation. He asks them to keep watch and pray.

By watchful prayer, I mean staying attentive to God. It’s an intentional choice to recognize my own weakness before temptation catches me off guard. How easy is that to put off? Life gets busy, the day moves on, and before long your heart has drifted further than you thought. Most of the hard seasons I’ve walked through didn’t start with one big wrong turn. They started with stretches of quiet neglect.

I wouldn’t describe these stretches as rebellion. I was distracted. I told myself I’d pray later, sit in silence tomorrow, pay attention to my soul at a more convenient time. Hearts don’t usually drift all at once. Mine drifted a little at a time through small moments that didn’t feel like much until I looked back.

Jesus knew what was coming. He also knew how weak the flesh can be. That’s why He told them to watch and pray so they would not enter temptation.

They slept through the hour that mattered most. I don’t want to sleep through mine.

Lord, keep my heart awake. Teach me to watch and pray with You, especially on the days I don’t realize how much I need it.