“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
- Matt. 26:41
Jesus speaking as a warning and an admonition to his disciples, and by extension every believer that would name the name of Christ.
His intention for the believer; His child, is to have a glorious fellowship where we understand our place and our inheritance.
“I pray that the eyes of your heart be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which He called you, the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people…”
- Ephesians 1:18
This text explains the intention of God for His children: that we may know the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people.
But how do we get to know this glorious inheritance that God has given His children?
It is in the place of prayer!
So, we must pray. In fact, the bible so many times encourages us as believers to pray, and also not only do so, but do it consistently.
Why is it important to pray?
Because two very vital keys to being spiritually awake and alive in the spirit; which is our key to knowing and experiencing the fellowship and also enjoying the inheritance God has for us are:
- Prayer
- Consistency
It is not enough we pray once a week, or once a month, or once in a while. This is not God’s idea for a believer’s life. But why do we need to pray so much?
One of the reasons is this;
“The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace…
Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.”
- Romans 8:6,8
This is one of the reasons why prayer is so important in the life of a believer; it empowers the believer’s spirit over the flesh. And we know that the flesh cannot please God!
Our spirit man comes alive and gains energy in the place of prayer. It was in the place of prayer in the garden of Gethsemane where Jesus gave His disciples the instruction and warning in the above text in Matthew 26:41. It was His custom to pray.
This was how He gained the strength to die on the cross; forfeiting the flesh, the pains and humiliation, and going on to Calvary.
So, when Jesus and the apostles, and all our fathers of faith instruct us on prayer, it is for the benefit of our spirit man, that we remain awake and responsive to the things of God.
The bible says;
“pray continually…”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:17
A life of prayer is the life of the believer. It is a lifestyle. We ought to always pray. This doesn’t only mean praying at specified times and locations, but it is more of a call to a lifestyle where we continually commune with God even when carrying out our normal activities.
Here is what Jesus said:
“I knew that you always hear me…”
- John 11:42
God always hears His children, let us take advantage of that. Hallelujah!
There is a great need that we remain vigilant, for the bible says:
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
- 1 Peter 5:8
This is a true saying and an honest warning. If we do not want the devil to have a field day with our lives and make us begin to doubt the word of God over our lives, then we must be alert and of a sober mind. This means we must watch and not be distracted by the things of the world which are fleeting.
The bible also says:
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge…”
- Hosea 4:6
Believers most times suffer for what we do not know. It’s not like God hasn’t released the blessing upon us, but we find most times that things are very difficult for us. This is most times a direct consequence of our ignorance. We must know what God has said, and apply these things to our lives every single day.
Sleep or slumber has very dire repercussions on a believer. In Jesus’ parable, he said:
“But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away.”
- Matthew 13:25
It is a dangerous thing to lose what you have worked hard for, because you were asleep.
This story of Jesus has both physical and spiritual implications. While the physical night can be a time to be invested in prayers, just as we see in Jesus’ life. We can also replicate His lifestyle and get results.
Spiritually being asleep is a more terrible thing to do, because the enemy waits for our moments of weakness to strike a blow, and what a pity if we let him.
“If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength.”
- Proverbs 24:10
We gather strength for the time of trouble. It is not at the battlefront that strategies are drawn. We build up energy in the secret place for the battles ahead.
The bible again says:
“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
To be spiritually awake is to continually approach God’s throne of grace, seeking fellowship. We find grace to help us when the enemy come to test us with all manner of trials and tribulations.
The book of Luke, chapter 9 verse 32 says;
“Peter and his companions were very sleepy, but when they became fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.”
- Luke 9:32
Sleep almost costed Peter and the other disciples a glorious encounter, luckily enough they awoke just in time to witness their exit. Spiritual slumber can make believers miss out on encounters and the plan of God for their lives. We must be spiritually awake to see God’s glory.
Again, in the book of 1 Thessalonians:
“So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.”
- 1 Thessalonians 5:6
We must not be like those who are spiritually asleep, but we must remain awake and sober.
Finally, Jesus says:
“Look, I come like a thief! Blessed is the one who stays awake and remains clothed, so as not to go naked and be shamefully exposed.”
- Revelation 16:15
The shame of being exposed is real. We can be awake and clothed, or fall asleep and be caught unawares. This warning is not only for the day of the Lord’s coming, but even while we contend with the enemy, we must maintain a posture of spiritual wokeness. For to be carnally-minded is death, but to be spiritually-minded, life and peace.