keep watch and pray...

Mark 14: 27 On the way, Jesus told them, “All of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say, ‘God will strike the Shepherd,
and the sheep will be scattered.’ 28 But after I am raised from the dead, I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet you there.” 29 Peter said to him, “Even if everyone else deserts you, I never will.” 30 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, Peter—this very night, before the rooster crows twice, you will deny three times that you even know me.” 31 “No!” Peter declared emphatically. “Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!” And all the others vowed the same.

32 They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 33 He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. 34 He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

37 Then he returned and found the disciples asleep. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? 38 Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

God will strike the Shepherd and the sheep will be scattered.. how horrifying to know that those you have been closest to will all desert you in your time of need.. but you know.. I think sometimes when that happens to us.. it is for us to see that when times are really at their worst.. the only one that we really have to depend on is God.. He is really our only comfort.. it is nice to have people who will stand by us.. but somehow that never seems to be the case in the darkest hours... we end up alone with God when times are the darkest...

Peter is so sure that his faith in Jesus is strong.. he is so sure that he will not be the one to deny Him... how often do we feel like that... that we will stand strong in our convictions and our faith.. that will will not yield to temptation.. then we do...

but Jesus says to Peter.. keep watch and pray so that you will not give in to temptation... I wonder how often that would be the truth of us.. if we were keeping watch in prayer.. would we fall into temptation.. or would our focus be more clear.. and we be more likely to stand true to our convictions... I wonder how often our relationship with God is natural rather than spiritual.. and we think on a natural level.. and that is why our prayer life being strong is so important... so that we begin to see spiritually.. and less naturally..

change me O God.. help me keep watch and pray so that I will stand strong in your word..