We are encouraged in scripture to watch and pray. Jesus said His disciples should watch and pray. “Take heed, watch and pray; for you do not know when the time is.” (Mark 13:33) These words were spoken when affirming that we do not know the time or hour when He will return. Luke’s rendition was of a stronger emphasis on our worthiness to stand before the Son of Man on that day.
“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” (Luke 21:36)
Peter related the idea of watchfulness to our prayers while speaking of the end of all things. In this hour of the church, it is important that we know to be serious and watchful in prayers.
“But the end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7)
Paul in his own reference to our watchfulness, is in relation to prayers, especially concerning the assignment of the devil and his cohorts in the life of believers. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul wrote:
“…praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:18)
The words of Jesus and the writings of Paul and Peter emphasize the need to watch and pray. The word “watch” or “watchful” comes from the root word “agrupnéō” which means “to abstain totally from sleep”, “to watch”, “wake”, “be awake”. Spiritually, to be watchful and attentive to spiritual things.
As believers in Christ, we should be watchful, alert, spiritually awake…and then, pray. In the focus of this blog post, we are to be watchful of patterns, events, circumstances, etc. that do not look like God’s type of patterns, events, or circumstances in our lives that we might engage prayerfully over. In my last blog post, I established foundational truths that can help determine what looks out of place as we approach observe events, patterns, circumstances, etc.
Even if it is a God event, decision, or pattern that you are unhappy about, you can plead your case before the Lord…or in some cases before the courts of heaven.
Prayer as a word and action is multifaceted. As we pray, we watch and as we watch, we pray. Whatever doesn’t look right, we can petition our case and make our arguments before the Lord and God is gracious that He will hear us.
Beloved, learn to watch, pray, petition, and plead your case before the Lord.
