◄ Watch and Pray ►

Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Mark 14:38

Be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers.
1 Peter 4:7

Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man
Luke 21:36

Call to Watchfulness

Throughout the Word of God, from beginning to end, there is a call to watchfulness. From Genesis to Revelation there are warnings to be vigilant; cautious; awake! The Christian is a pilgrim passing through seriously hazardous, enemy territory. Perils and dangers lurk all along the way and nets and traps litter the path we walk.

Lapse of Fatih

The enemy comes in many garbs and disguises in an attempt to shipwreck our faith. Foes slink in the shadows, lying in wait for that distracted moment. They play their waiting game, biding their time for that lapse of faith. This was not just for biblical days of yore, when “the Philistines are upon you, Samson” – or when the Assyrians descended upon the cities of Israel “like a wolf on the fold” – or when the enemy “vexed and oppressed the children of Israel without cause.”

Spiritual Enemy 

This is as true today as it was in those distant days – when the enemy was physical, except that today, the enemy is invisible and more subtle – and in the spiritual realm: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, physical weapons, but mighty through God to the pulling down of spiritual strongholds. 2Cor.10:4

Spiritual Armour

So we have been been equipped with every necessity if we would but access it: put on the whole armour of God, we are told, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil Eph.6:11 .. every part of the armoury is a part of Christ:- for as many of you as have been baptised into Christ have put on Christ. Make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof Gal.3:27

Gird thy heavenly armour on
Wear it ever night and day,
In ambush lies the evil one
Watch and pray

Error of the Wicked

But the way is littered with unwatchful men and women.. Christians who chose not to be watchful and vigilant, as ministries and men fall to the deceitful ploys of Satan and become his plunder. Pensacola, Florida and similar signs and wonder crusades are often mistakenly adopted. And the destroyed lives of many people, litter the wake of these movements, as they swallowed the bait through believing a distorted gospel – or as they succumbed to the deception of false, angelic visitations. Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness” 2Pet.3:17

Angels of Light

Today the enemy can approach the children of God, even as an angel of light: and no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 2Cor.11:14. Today Satan, as a roaring lion uses subtlety and deception to entrap his prey: therefore be self-controlled and be sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. 1Pet.4:7. Today we are in a battle of life and death: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.”

Principalities and powers
Mustering their unseen array,
Wait for your unguarded hours
Watch, and pray

Holy Spirit of God

But we’re not left alone in our pilgrimage or in our assignment in the field of battle. We have the Lord at our side and the Spirit indwelling in our hearts – if only our ears remain open to His gentle promptings and His gracious leadings. But we must remain ever watchful and ever open to the ways that He guides us – and we must remain guarded in thought word and deed.

Hear, above all, hear the Lord
Him thou lovest to obey
Hide within thy heart his Word
Watch and pray

Final Word

Ye therefore, beloved seeing ye know these things before beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked fall from your own steadfastness 2Pet.2:17. Watch and pray