Watch and Pray

Mk. 14:36

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Jesus, Peter, James, and John went to Gethsemane. It was on this night that Jesus' burden was overwhelming. Speaking to His disciples, He said, My soul is sorrowful, even to death, Remain here and watch. After he finished praying, He came back to the disciples who were now sleeping! How could they be sleeping on this night!! How could they not realize the deep sorrow He was enduring!  He asked them simply, Can you not watch with me one hour? Only one hour, and sleep overtook them! Then in His warning to them to watch and pray, He revealed the great problem in all mankind. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. I am sure that the disciples wanted to watch with Jesus, but their flesh overtook them. What a struggle between the spirit and the flesh! Jesus warned them of this struggle with the simple words, Watch and pray. How powerful is prayer that it can overcome the weaknesses of the flesh! Sadly, the flesh cannot be conquered by disciplined flesh or greater resolve. It is still flesh! It must be conquered through the Spirit because it is there that Jesus conquered death and sin including the flesh. Watch and pray!!

Father,
Teach me more about watching and praying. Help me to rely on Your grace and power to fight the flesh and its desires.
In Jesus name,
Amen