The Power of Prayer
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”1
Do you find it hard to pray? Do you struggle to find the right words or put together the right thoughts? Do you find that your prayers sound more like a business letter than a conversation with a friend? Maybe you run out of things to say and praying becomes tiresome? Could these have been the same issues the disciples were dealing with that night in the Garden of Gethsemane? One hour — Jesus asked for one hour! We easily spend that time scrolling on our phones or watching a show! In fact, an hour spent over coffee with a friend goes by way too quickly! But when it comes to spending that time talking to the God of the Universe, we sometimes struggle a bit. We fail to see the power behind prayer.
Prayer helps us prepare for tough situations; Prayer comforts us in our grief; Prayer keeps us from temptation, something Jesus warned His disciples of. Later in this story of events that led to the cross, when things got tough, the tough disciples got going, or running, when they should have got to praying! I wonder if they had prayed an hour with Jesus would their stories have played out differently? Would they have stood firm in their faith instead of “denying and hiding”? Jesus knew then, as He knows now, the fragility of faith and he has given us the power of a full armor to withstand in the day of spiritual battle. (Eph. 6:10-18) Isn’t our faith, and our relationship with Jesus, worth spending a little extra time in prayer for every day? We have been given power over fear and temptation; a power that’s found in prayer!
Suggested prayer: Lord God, help me to never take for granted the power that is found in meeting with you daily. Help me make time to spend in your presence, gleaning from the power of your blood and the forgiveness of your sacrifice. Thank you, Jesus, for making a way to the Father. Amen.
1. Matthew 26:40-41 (NIV).
Today’s Encounter was written by: Veronica B.
All articles on this website are written by
Richard (Dick) Innes unless otherwise stated.