Matthew 26:36-41: Then Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with Him, and He began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then He said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” Going a little farther, He fell with His face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will. Then He returned to His disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with Me for one hour?” He asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

We’re living in a season of time when much of “The Church” has fallen asleep. We know this because of the signs which prove sleep has overtaken it. We see in today’s Scripture that Jesus told the foundation of His church to watch and pray for one hour, lest they enter into temptation. Therefore, we can conclude that prayer will keep us awake, alert, and remaining on watch in the spirit against the enemy that creeps about in the night. On the other hand, we will know that the body of Christ has drifted into a slumber when we begin to be seduced and we succumb to the ways of the world—entering into temptation.

We know that while Jesus prayed and brought His will into subjection to His Father’s plan, the disciples all fell asleep. It was because Jesus remained in prayer and submitted to God’s will in the garden that He was given power over His flesh to obey. However, the disciples decided to sleep, even though in their spirit they desired to pray; consequently, they lacked the power to overcome their flesh nature, and they entered into temptation . . . and all of them denied knowing Christ.

It’s time for the body of Christ to awaken from its slumber and begin to pray so that we will receive the power needed to overcome our flesh and resist temptation. Prayer will keep our spirit awake and in control over our flesh. Prayer will empower us to obey God, which, in turn, will keep us from entering into a sinful lifestyle. If you’re a believer, who struggles with temptation to the point of committing sin, then begin to look very closely at your prayer life, or lack of prayer life. The power of prayer will empower you to crucify the flesh nature that is too weak to obey God; and it will strengthen your spirit to lead your body in obedience to God and His plan for your life.  —submitted by Pastor Asa Dockery, US