Matthew 26:41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

The last half of this verse is one of the most famous lines in all of Scripture, so much so that many people don’t know it’s from the Bible. It certainly agrees with our experience! However, most people ignore the first half of the verse, which gives the appropriate response to the human condition. It is an English pun, but true nonetheless: “Seven days makes one week. Seven days without prayer makes one weak.” Failure to pray is perhaps the most dangerous conceit, and it is certainly the most common. It betrays an attitude of not needing God, and that is the height of blind stupidity. As the Bible says repeatedly, the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Failure to recognize and acknowledge the reality that we would not exist apart from the grace of God is the polar opposite of wisdom. I would say that the majority of militant atheists take that position not out of genuine conviction, but out of anger and rebellion. If God won’t do things their way, then they are going to deny that He exists! That is so childish, but they themselves would never admit it. However, the majority of people, while not atheists by religion, are practical atheists because they ignore God for all practical purposes. In English that’s an oddly significant way of putting it, because many people don’t think religion is practical. They might profess to admire the teaching of Jesus, but they think or even say that it doesn’t work out in the real world. That’s because they have never really tried it. The Bible is actually the most practical of books, because it recognizes our weakness and tells us how to apply God’s power in its place, as this verse says.

I was certainly raised with an awareness of the importance of prayer, but that doesn’t mean my life has been as characterized by prayer as it should have been. Like everyone else, I have complained about trials, when they have been God’s way of graciously pointing out to me my need of Him. I need to obey this verse! That would not eliminate all trials, but it would certainly eliminate a lot of unnecessary suffering, on my part and on the part of those I interact with. Paul’s admonition to “Pray without ceasing” is the kindest, most practical advice. However, as the Lord pointed out to me years ago, prayer isn’t just my spouting off at God, it needs to include careful listening to God as well. My life truly needs to be characterized by both sides of that.

Father, You know even better than I do how far I need to grow in this area. Thank You for Your grace and patience toward me. I get very disgusted with myself at my own failures at times, but I know that the answer is turning to You in humble repentance and obedience. Sins of omission are sometimes more frustrating than sins of commission. Help me watch, pray, and be fully obedient at all times, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!