Comfort Zone (Part 1)

Mark 14:37-38

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.”

Just an hour

How often have we depended on other people's strength to see us through dare situations? How often have we relied on the pastor, our spouse, or our guardian to stay in 'prayers' for us? Sometimes, we tend to 'relax' with the thoughts that things are under control because someone else is praying. This may have left us in limbo when it comes to prayer, and we are unable to stand by ourselves in days of trials when needed.

Peter had promised to follow the Master, our Lord Jesus all the way. He even spoke vehemently about it (Mark 14:31) but when the time came to stand in the gap, he was found wanting. He preferred sleep to prayer. Sleep came first! Jesus had gone to the mountain apart with his disciples, when He began to be burdened. Mark 14:34-35 'And saith unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful unto death: tarry ye here, and watch. And he went forward a little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him'. Notice the voice of the Master 'tarry ye here, and watch'. Instead, they chose to sleep.

Notice Jesus' response in our passage today, when he returned and found them sleeping. Mark 14:37-38 'Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” In other words, "Peter you said you would follow Me all the way, but if you do not watch and pray you will be caught off guard." Prayer was the expectation from the Master. Sleep was not the option. Also notice from the words of Jesus, that prayer is a much needed entity to avert temptation. Hence the statement, 'Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation'.

You see, prayer should have priority over sleep and rest for children of God. Jesus our example prioritised prayer over rest and sleep. Mark 1:35 says 'And in the morning, rising up a great while before day, he went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed'. Sleep doesn't produce abundance but leads to lack. Just as Peter and the disciples were not alert to spiritual danger and warfare. They preferred sleep and as such left their Master all by himself.

Jacob is another example of prioritising prayer over sleep. When Jacob was left alone, instead of sleeping he wrestled all night in prayer for his destiny and change of his name (Genesis 32:24). And 1 Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to 'Pray without ceasing'

What do you think about your prayer life? What do you do when there is an urgent need for prayers? What can you do today to create more time in order to give priority to your prayer life? As it has always been said that 'the only way to learn how to pray is to pray'. So let us pray.

Have a wonderful prayerful week and God bless you