- Joined
- Feb 9, 2004
- Messages
- 17,078
Watch and Pray
When He came to the place, [Jesus] said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
Luke 22:40
Recommended Reading
Luke 22:45-46
The apostle Paul used the armor of a Roman soldier as a metaphor for the believer's spiritual armor: belt, helmet, breastplate, sword, shoes, and shield. But Paul added something to the Christian's preparation for spiritual battle that he did not draw from the Roman military: prayer. After describing the armor, Paul added, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--" (Ephesians 6:18).
That prayer language mirrors what Jesus said to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest and trial. Jesus had just warned Peter about the coming temptation to deny Him (Luke 22:31-34) and the disciples about the opposition they would face (verses 35-38). As the hour of His trial grew near, Jesus admonished the disciples -- twice -- to pray lest they succumb to the temptations to deny Him and flee from persecution.
Waiting until the battle is joined is waiting too late to fight. Fighting begins on our knees as we call upon God for victory over temptation.
Christian, seek not yet repose; cast thy dreams of ease away; thou art in the midst of foes: watch and pray.
Charlotte Elliott
Read-thru-the-Bible
Numbers 13:1 -- 14:45
When He came to the place, [Jesus] said to them, "Pray that you may not enter into temptation."
Luke 22:40
Recommended Reading
Luke 22:45-46
The apostle Paul used the armor of a Roman soldier as a metaphor for the believer's spiritual armor: belt, helmet, breastplate, sword, shoes, and shield. But Paul added something to the Christian's preparation for spiritual battle that he did not draw from the Roman military: prayer. After describing the armor, Paul added, "praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints--" (Ephesians 6:18).
That prayer language mirrors what Jesus said to His disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane on the night of His arrest and trial. Jesus had just warned Peter about the coming temptation to deny Him (Luke 22:31-34) and the disciples about the opposition they would face (verses 35-38). As the hour of His trial grew near, Jesus admonished the disciples -- twice -- to pray lest they succumb to the temptations to deny Him and flee from persecution.
Waiting until the battle is joined is waiting too late to fight. Fighting begins on our knees as we call upon God for victory over temptation.
Christian, seek not yet repose; cast thy dreams of ease away; thou art in the midst of foes: watch and pray.
Charlotte Elliott
Read-thru-the-Bible
Numbers 13:1 -- 14:45
