“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
Matthew 26:41 NIV
These words were spoken to Peter after Jesus found him sleeping instead of keeping watch with Jesus while he prayed. But I believe Jesus’ words have a much broader application than this time in the garden. I find it to be very applicable to my own daily life as well.
My spirit is truly willing, wanting to faithfully follow after Jesus. I want to live a holy life in obedience to him. But all too often, I fall short. It is not that I am often guilty of engaging in some activity that I shouldn’t. Rather, like Peter here in the garden, I fall asleep. But, unlike Peter, my sleep is not a physical sleep caused by physical or emotional exhaustion. Instead, it is spiritual sleep. My eyes are closed to the Lord’s leading. And I end up wandering around and going nowhere.
The solution to that is what Jesus told Peter. To watch and pray. If I will stay in constant touch with the Lord. And keep my eyes open to his leading. Then I will not fall into temptation. I will not fall asleep on him. Instead, I can live the holy life I am called to live in faithful service to the one who gave himself for me.
