March 15 - Watch and Pray

Jesus knew that Peter was going to be tempted and would succumb to denying Him. It was terrible for the former, but todo saldra bien – all will be well, Jesus told him. God knows what would come to pass before it does. So it is therefore no coincidence that between Luke 21 and 22 alone, prayer, especially with regards to falling into temptation was mentioned at least 3 times. And so we see in

1) Luke 22v40
“And when He came to the place, He said to them, Pray that you may not [at all] enter into temptation.” (Amplified Bible)

“And when He was at the place, He said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation.” (King James Version)

2) Luke 21v36
“Keep awake then and watch at all times [be discreet, attentive, and ready], praying that you may have the full strength and ability and be accounted worthy to escape all these things [taken together] that will take place, and to stand in the presence of the Son of Man.” (Amplified Bible)

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (King James Version)

3) Luke 22v46
“And He said to them, Why do you sleep? Get up and pray that you may not enter [at all] into temptation.” (Amplified Bible)

“And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.” (King James Version)

Men ought always to pray, and not to faint, taught Jesus with the parable of the widow and the unjust judge in Luke 18. A man of God once said our prayers were short, because we were selfish. Some practical things are, if we run out of things to pray about, pray for family, friends, the homeless person on the street, Christians who are suffering persecution around the world, the stranger that just passed by you, offer prayers of thanksgiving…

I remember once in Minnesota, they were talking of prayer walking, for your neighbourhood i.e. walk around a neighbourhood, maybe yours, and pray for the residents, or maybe even those passing by.

Also, sometimes instead of taking a bus, you could use that time to walk and pray to your Heavenly Father, in between meals or functions, 5 minutes here and there, in the bathroom, in your classroom before others come, at your work place before heading out, at the train station, in your car or while waiting for the bus.

MAKE A CONSCIOUS EFFORT.

Have a blessed day.