“Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter.” (Matthew 26:40)
In Gethsemane, Jesus “came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, ‘Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak’” (vv. 40-41). Jesus was just hours from the cross, and He asked His disciples to pray for Him. Imagine His disappointment when He found them sleeping! Perhaps they didn’t get enough rest the night before. Maybe they were worn out from a hard day’s work.
We have all been victims of drowsiness, so we shouldn’t be surprised that they fell asleep, but we are! We’re shocked because it was such an important night. This night, more than any other, required the discipline of prayer. But the disciples missed a great opportunity to encourage and strengthen Jesus in His hour of need. They missed an opportunity to strengthen themselves as well. Satan knows if he can keep you from prayer, you will be powerless. He is the master of distraction. Think how often he has robbed you of your quiet time with God by using things like media, your cell phone, the internet, a messy house, your to-do list, your wandering mind, your heavy eyelids. Your quiet time with God isn’t something you try to “fit into” your schedule; it must be something you prioritize, or it won’t happen. The King James Version says, “Pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (v. 41).
You don’t know what each day holds, but through prayer and spending time in God’s Word, you can prepare your heart for whatever life throws at you.
Prayer
Lord, I thank You for giving me this way to talk to You. Keep me in prayer with You always so that Satan can gain no hold over me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
Stay encouraged!
Pastor Mike
