Being alert and praying sounds easy, but it takes focus, especially when you are tired from a spiritual battle. Jesus knew He was in a spiritual battle as He contemplated His suffering on the cross to pay for the sins of humanity. To gather strength in this battle, Jesus took His disciples to the Mount of Olives to pray. Luke 22:40 There, he told them, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” [1]
As we pray to the Lord, we must be alert, watching, and listening to His guidance and direction. When we take our prayer concerns to Him, He will guide us on what to pray for as we listen and ask. Like a soldier on guard duty, a prayer warrior’s success depends on being alert.
Praying for Strength
Jesus told the disciples to stay alert and awake because He knew the enemy was ready to attack. To overcome temptation, Jesus knew the key was prayer. We easily fall into temptation when we don’t heed Jesus’ warning to be alert and pray. The same trap the enemy set for the disciples is the same one that continues to be effective against believers today. I don’t know what temptations lie ahead on my spiritual journey, but I know the enemy will not stop trying to lead me astray.
While the enemy may set traps for us, Jesus will guide and alert me to pray as we stay connected to Him. Jesus is our model of staying alert and praying as He prays in the Garden. Luke 22:42 “Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”[2] As Jesus prayed, the Father heard His prayer and sent an angel to strengthen him. Although we may not see angels around us, they are always at work around believers, ministering to them.
Praying with Persistence
As we pray, we don’t know how the Lord moves in the background or who He will use to accomplish His purposes. 1 Thessalonians 5:16Always be joyful. 17 Never stop praying. 18 Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.” [3] As we continue to pray, it increases our faith. We can believe that the God of the universe is listening even when He appears silent.
As Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, He kept praying and did not give up. Luke 22:44 He prayed more fervently, and he was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. [4] Prayer is a way to meet with the Lord and pour out our most profound requests and trials to Him. Today, you may be tempted to give up, but the Lord wants to encourage you to keep praying. Only the Lord knows how your prayers affect you and those around you as He cares for His flock.
To learn how to be alert and praying, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/the-real-battle
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.