Watch and Pray

I'm reading the Bible in one year and the New Testament reading for March 8 is Mark 14:17-42.

"Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Could you not keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."" - Mark 14:37-38 (NIV)

Again, what Jesus tells Peter in Mark 14:38 in simply stunning. In effect, Peter fell into temptation - first by falling asleep in Gethsemane (Mark 14:37) and then by denying Jesus in the high priest's courtyard (Mark 14:66-72) - because he did not watch and pray for God's protection!

If Peter had to watch and pray to overcome temptation, how much more do we have to watch and pray to overcome temptation!

"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it." - 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NIV)

Yes, God will provide a way out so that we can stand up under what He has called us to bear. But only if we watch and pray about it!

Link: Only by Prayer (21 Feb 10)