What does it mean to watch and pray?

Response

Jesus used the expression “watch and pray” on several occasions. One instance was the night before the crucifixion. Jesus brought His disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane, where He prayed, “Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not as I will, but as you will” «And he went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. », (Matthew 26:39). After praying, He found His disciples sleeping. He was saddened that they could not stay awake and pray with Him for an hour. He cautioned them to “watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” «Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. », (Matthew 26:41).

Another instance of the phrase “watch and pray” is recorded earlier in Jesus’ ministry when He prophesied about the end times. In Luke chapter 21, many of these events are detailed, and Jesus warns that they will occur suddenly: “Be on guard so that your hearts will not be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and the worries of life, and that day will not come on you suddenly like a trap” « And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares. », (Luke 21:34). He then advises, “Be always on the alert, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are about to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man” (verse 36).

“Watch and pray.” The term “watch” in this context means “to be as vigilant as a night guard.” A night watchman must be diligent.Even more vigilant than a daytime guard. In the daytime, danger can often be spotted from a distance. But in the night, everything is different. A night watchman must use senses other than sight to detect danger. He is often alone in the darkness and without the defenses he would otherwise employ. There may be no indications of an enemy attack until it happens, so he must be hyper-vigilant, suspecting it at any moment. That is the type of watching Jesus spoke about.

Jesus warned us that we are too easily distracted by the physical and will be caught unaware if we do not continually discipline ourselves. In the Garden of Gethsemane, sleepiness overcame the disciples. Their physical need overpowered their desire to obey Him. He was grieved when He saw this, knowing what was ahead for them. If they did not remain spiritually vigilant, in tune with Him “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.”, (John 15:5) and ready to deny the flesh, they would be overcome by the evil one “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”, (1 Peter 5:8).

Jesus’ disciples today must also watch and pray. We are easily distracted by this world, our fleshly needs and desires, and the schemes of the enemy “lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.”, (2 Corinthians 2:11). When we take our eyes from Jesus and His soon return, our values begin to shift, our attention wanders, and soon we are living like the world and bearing little fruit for God’s kingdom (1 Timothy 6:18-19)

He warned us that we must be prepared at any moment to stand before Him and give an account of our lives (Romans 14:12; 1 Peter 4:5; Matthew 12:36).

“Watch and pray.” We can only remain faithful when we are devoted to prayer. In prayer, we continually allow God to forgive us, cleanse us, teach us, and strengthen us to obey Him “If ye shall ask any thing in my name, I will do it.”, (John 14:14). In order to keep watch, we must pray for endurance and freedom from distractions (Hebrews 12:2; Luke 18:1; Ephesians 6:18). We must pray without ceasing “Pray without ceasing.”, (1 Thessalonians 5:17). When we live with the eager expectation of the Lord’s return and anticipate persecution until then (2 Timothy 3:12; Matthew 24:9; 1 Peter 4:12), we are more likely to keep our lives pure and our hearts ready to meet Him.