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WATCH AND PRAY

THE DAILY FOUNTAIN DAILY DEVOTIONAL GUIDE OF THE CHURCH OF NIGERIA (ANGLICAN COMMUNION)

DATE: TUESDAY, 4TH APRIL, 2023 (TUESDAY IN THE HOLY WEEK)

TOPIC: WATCH AND PRAY

TEXT: MATTHEW 26: 31-46

31.  Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: 'I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered.'
32.  "But after I have been raised, I will go before you to Galilee."
33.  Peter answered and said to Him, "Even if all are made to stumble because of You, I will never be made to stumble."
34.  Jesus said to him, "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times."
35.  Peter said to Him, "Even if I have to die with You, I will not deny You!" And so said all the disciples.
36.  Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, "Sit here while I go and pray over there."
37.  And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed.
38.  Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me."
39.  He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You [will."]
40.  Then He came to the disciples and found them asleep, and said to Peter, "What? Could you not watch with Me one hour?
41.  "Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed [is] willing, but the flesh [is] weak."
42.  Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, "O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done."
43.  And He came and found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy.
44.  So He left them, went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words.
45.  Then He came to His disciples and said to them, "Are [you] still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.
46.  "Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand."

 

MESSAGE:  
Jesus was exceedingly sorrowful at the critical moment in His earthly life and ministry (v.38). He requested some disciples to join Him to watch and pray. Unfortunately, the disciples were sleepy and could not pray even for one hour (vs.40, vs. 43). While Jesus devoted himself to prayer, the disciples were found sleeping on three consecutive occasions (vs.40, vs.43, vs.45) without knowing that the arrest of Jesus was close by. They disappointed the Master when He needed them to pray. Today Jesus still needs and calls men to pray fervently as individuals, families, groups, churches etc. Sometimes such prayers without our knowledge are to prepare for or avert impending temptations. Unfortunately, it is so difficult for some of us disciples to make such sacrifices even for one hour, yet we spend greater periods with the phone, television, friends, associates etc. Failure to pray makes us unprepared to withstand temptations (vs.41).
Jesus received angelic visitation and divine encouragement as He prayed (Luke 22: 43-44). We too can experience divine visitation in the place of prayer during trying moments. Sometimes we forget that we are flesh and blood, and boast like Peter in verse 35. Let us always remember that the arm of flesh will fail, but those who wait on the Lord shall renew their strength (Isa. 40: 31). There is no substitute for prayer. So conquer your flesh today, watch and pray. 


PRAYER: 
Lord,  help me to watch and pray.

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