Could You Not Watch with Me One Hour?

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Prayer may seem to become natural, but in a spiritual sense it can be difficult, because we are human and the flesh is weak. There is a natural battle but also a spiritual battle. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak” as Jesus himself reminded the disciples. Paul in Romans and Galatians speaks of the flesh in conflict with the Spirit of God. The flesh or our old Adam nature is stubborn and rebellious to do what God wants for us in following His Word. The flesh is weak or can be just tired, because we are too busy. Sometimes we can be too busy being too busy!

“For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” ‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It is not just the flesh that is weak, but we face real battles against evil forces just as Jesus did. Satan despises when you pray to God the Father through Jesus’ name. Jesus, stresses the importance of prayer, especially, when it comes to desiring to do God’s will. We see Jesus side of humanity in the garden of Gethsemane as he prays to God the Father not once, but three times to take this cup of suffering from him as he nears going to the cross to be crucified. Jesus faced his own spiritual struggle but the spiritual victory was won in intercessory prayer. “In the days of His earthly life, Jesus offered up both [specific] petitions and [urgent] supplications [for that which He needed] with fervent crying and tears to the One who was [always] able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His reverent submission toward God [His sinlessness and His unfailing determination to do the Father’s will]”. (Hebrews 5:7 Amp.) 

Before Jesus prayed, the disciples were with him as he headed to the garden, he told the disciples to sit here and wait. Then Jesus went to pray. Jesus is our example of being disciplined to pray. It was a daily habit for him. If Jesus needed prayed, how much more should we be disciplined to form good habits of prayer. Notice the disciples how they responded when Jesus went to pray alone. They fell asleep!
“Then He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What! Could you not watch with Me one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41 NKJV.

Paul and Peter remind us too often about the importance of prayer throughout the New Testament.

When we die to the flesh, it is not in a literal sense, but a metaphor of our will and selfishness compared to doing God’s will. There is real spiritual warfare as a believer in Christ. Paul exhorts us to “Put on the full armor of God” Ephesians 6:10-18 to “withstand the wiles (schemes) of the devil” because we do not wrestle against flesh an blood.
“For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms”. Ephesians 6:12 NIV

‭‭”Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NIV

As you face the challenge to pray apply some of these principles in your own life.

1. Faith mixed with prayer gives you confidence in God. ”So let’s do it—full of belief, confident that we’re presentable inside and out. Let’s keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word.” Hebrews 10:22-23 MSG.

2. Discipline in prayer or self-discipline will help you to grow and mature in your faith in Christ. I am not speaking of ritualistic or legalistic praying, but an intimate time with the Lord because of his grace.
“Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.” ‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:16‬ ‭NIV‬‬

3. Love grows out of a genuine relationship. God loves you unconditionally, so it is always wise and best that you be honest with the Lord. He knows our heart anyway. Deal with sins both know sin and unknown sin. Ask God to reveal things in your heart that you cannot see, and then make it right with what you are struggling with. If you struggle with prayer or spend time reading His Word then ask Him to help you.

4. Remember, it’s not the amount of time as in quantity, but the quality with the Lord alone in prayer. Like exercise or dieting just starting is a first step to victory. So do not worry about whether you pray for one hour or five minutes. The key is to get going and carve out some time alone with the Lord. ”Give us this day our daily bread”.