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Verse:“Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” —Matthew 26:41, ESV
From my “God Moments” Prayer Journal: 2-20-18–Paradise, CA—37 degrees this morning: My beloved Father, I have been reading through the last chapters in Matthew. Upon reading Matthew 26:36–46, verse 41 hit me over the head like a thunderbolt [see text above]. Father, how many times have You said to watch and pray, and I’ve entered into temptation by following my plan and my direction? That phrase “that you may not enter into temptation” means to me that I must be alert to You each moment of every day or I will be following my way, not Yours.
This scripture is for me today —I lay before You my day— my plans must be pushed aside so that if today were my last day, I would be watching and praying so that the Holy Spirit’s conviction would be my guiding path.
As You pursue me each day, dearly beloved Lord, I surrender what I think are today’s duties as I watch with You and pray that I will be about what Your will is for me instead of my plan. Jesus came to the disciples three times, asking them to pray for Him, yet they went to sleep. Their weariness was greater than their prayerfulness for their Friend —Jesus. Oh, dear Lord, how often do I follow this same pattern of lifestyle? You pursue me to spend time with You —oh, this precious time with You— and yet my plans for the day are more important to carry out (what I think I need to do) instead of watching and praying, allowing the Holy Spirit to shower upon me what I so desperately need.
In verse 46, Jesus said, “Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.” If I do not choose the Holy Spirit as I choose to “watch and pray” during the God moments in my day, the devil (my betrayer) will take advantage of that time.
He will snuff out my day with his plans which I choose... if I do not watch and pray. My dear sister in Christ, as you enter the day’s activities that God has orchestrated, may you choose to watch and pray with Him as the Spirit guides you throughout this day. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Blessed be the name of the Lord.
Mary H. Maxson.