FAITH CAPSULE: Stay awake stray from sleeping.
Mark 14:32-50
Sleep can only sink a believer once its seeds are planted in the life of a believer. In this world of wickedness there is a need to be awake and be spiritually alert. To be awake and be alert is to be on guard watching and praying. Few scriptural verses emphasized on the need to watch and pray stating, “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) It is written in Ephesians 6:18, “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” The first book of Peter could not be completed without stating, “But the end of all things is at hand; therefore be serious and watchful in your prayers.” (1 Peter 4:7) The only agent that can take a man away from watching and praying is sleep. Jesus warned his disciples of this very problem when they gave into sleep instead of watching as He prayed. This took place while Jesus was praying in the garden when His time of arrest was near. Evidently, a non praying believer is a sleeping believer. The Bible recorded, “Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38) The disciples could not stay up in prayer. The going back and forth of Jesus to keep them awake reveals the importance why believer should constantly engage in watching and praying. Twice, Jesus could not keep them awake, “Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (Mark 14:41-42) The words of the Bible are not a mere story but a life sustaining dosage for anyone that will take and use. Many are loosing their battle in the sleep and many are set to loose their battle because they lack control over sleeping. Are you awake watching and praying? If you have given your life to Jesus, know that not watching and praying is not your portion. The world is getting darker and we are to get conversant waiting on the Lord in prayer. As a believer, you have a roll to play because the wicked one’s road leads to you. Jesus played His role for all on the Calvary to give life abundantly. Stay awake stray from sleeping.
Prayer for today: Deliver me from sorrow sleep and let me not be a victim of the wicked one.