PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: Luke 22:39-46
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:46)
We all face temptations on a regular basis – Jesus did too!
Satan is always sneaking up on us, trying to trip us up.
We are like soldiers advancing in enemy territory; always on the alert.
Or are we… how many of us aggressively pray along the way?
We are urged many times to stay alert, to be on guard, to keep watch.
“Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion
looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
When our guard is down, the enemy has the advantage.
He slips in with subtle teasers, or entices us with subtle compromises.
Little distracting and deceptive whispers, which we allow to linger in our minds.
The next thing we know, we find ourselves tricked, trapped and in a bad place.
God has not left us alone, we are equipped with the Spirit of Jesus at all times.
We are always with him, we can always talks with him, we can rely on his guidance.
But if we are not paying attention or praying, how can we experience his help?
PRAYER
Lord, everyday is a battleground. Help me to keep talking to you as I go through my day, that I may see the enemy as he approaches.
Are we as a Christian community asleep a lot?? “he found them asleep” I think so. There are disasters all around us but not until it hits home do we feel it – it wakes us up. The fentanyl drug crisis – is awful and there are so many homeless today and so many displaced and impacted by fires, typhoons, floods and the high cost of living. It’s bad. We can’t be asleep – instead what can we do? Even the small things besides our giving. Help us Lord to be a blessing especially to those who are hurting!
I am like one of the disciples. As a small child I would kneel deside my bed to pray and in the early morning hours, I was still in that position – sleeping. I continue to start and end the day in prayer, but no longer sleep during those times. I need to pray more during the day like prayer walking – walking with my God – like in the garden. I need His help every hour. Prayer takes effort. And I need His daily presence to live my life before Him, serving Him.
1
What a Friend we have in Jesus,
All our sins and griefs to bear!
What a privilege to carry
Everything to God in prayer!
O what peace we often forfeit,
O what needless pain we bear,
All because we do not carry
Everything to God in prayer!
2
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Can we find a friend so faithful
Who will all our sorrows share?
Jesus knows our every weakness,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
3
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Do thy friends despise, forsake thee?
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
In His arms He’ll take and shield thee,
Thou wilt find a solace there.