Be Serious And Watchful In Prayer

-May 25, 2023-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

“But the end of all things is at end; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.”

(1 Peter 4:7).

Peter learned this lesson first hand from Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus was in earnest prayer to the Father. He prayed three times that the cup of suffering on the cross would pass from Him, but the Father did not answer His prayers. The way of the cross was the only way to save lost sinners. It was God’s will, according to His plan. Men’s souls were hanging in the balance. He accepted His mission knowing exactly what He would go through: suffering, pain, agony, reproach, shame, and rejection. He paid for our sins so that we might be saved.

All the while Jesus was praying, Peter and the other disciples were sleeping. Jesus had told them in Matthew 26:38, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” Matthew 26:40-41 says, “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 is indeed willing, but the flesh is weak.’”

Now is not the time for ease, rest, or our own comfort; now is the time to be serious and watchful in prayer. Souls hang in the balance, believers need teaching, shepherding, and encouragement. The end of all things is at hand, the Lord is coming soon. Now is the time to pray more, to pray more seriously, and to pray more fervently.

Many believers today are sleeping spiritually, going through the motions, going to church, saying the right words but lacking the power of the Holy Spirit. We need revival! We must watch and pray. The time is short and the world is in horrific condition. Will you be a prayer warrior? Our brother Paul exhorted us, “And do this, knowing the time, that now is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed.”

May the Lord help us to pray as everything depended on us, pleading with our Savior to work mightily to rescue souls and change lives. Then we can rise up in strength and faith to face whatever circumstances are ahead. Let us be serious and watchful.

Praying seriously and watchfully,

Dean