Watch and Pray!

"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing but the body is weak."

These are Jesus' words to his disciples in the Garden of Gethsemane. He has just found them asleep after he had been praying with all his might and will to God.

When I first read this passage in Mark 14 tonight, I thought, "Oh seriously...men!" I mean leave it to them to fall asleep not once but three times! Three times!! Literally three times Jesus comes to them and says, "Yo Dudes...I am sortof going through something here...could ya at least stay awake with me!??"

Yep, that was my initial judgemental thought. The thought that these disciples were just plain bums. Typical male...fall asleep anywhere, anytime.

And then, God whispered..."Are you awake?"

Hmm...yep. Sure am God. Wide awake...which I must say is pretty good for me considering it is 9:30 p.m.!!

Again, "Are you sure you are awake?"

"ummm...yeahhhhh...wide awake here. Reading the word. Awake as can be."

And once more, '"How awake are you?"

Ok...third time is the charm (back in Bible days and today!)

God is wanting to know if I am truly awake to what is going on around me. Am I in tune with the needs of my family? With the needs of my neighbors? With the needs of my workplace? Community? World?

Am I awake to the will of my Lord? Am I awake to His purpose? To His plan? To His cry through the people around me?

zzzzzzz....

Must admit, just like the disciples, I needed this wake up call tonight.

Get up!
"WATCH and PRAY my sisters!"
"WATCH and PRAY!"

Dear Lord,
 Help me not to fall asleep to the work you want to accomplish in and through me. Help me to remain focused and alive for you. Help me to not drift off, asleep to those around me. Remind me Lord to watch and pray, to realize the hour that is at hand. Thank you Lord for turning on my alarm tonight!"