S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

Jesus used the phrase "watch and pray" on a couple of different occasions. Once was the night before the crucifixion. Jesus took Peter, James, and John with Him to the Garden of Gethsemane, where H...

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August 20 2015 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Luke 21:36 Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
(36) Pray always.—The word is not the same commonly used for “pray,” but occurs once only in the other Gospels (Matthew 9:38). Luke uses it 15 times in the Gospel and Acts together, and Paul 6 times (2 Corinthians 5:20; 2 Corinthians 8:4; 2 Corinthians 10:2, etc.). It is not used by any other New Testament writer.

November 16 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What does it mean to watch and pray?

"Watch and pray" is a biblical injunction (Matthew 26:41) urging believers to remain spiritually alert, to be vigilant against temptation, and to depend on God through prayer. It means staying awake to potential spiritual dangers—like a guard at night—while actively seeking divine strength to overcome weaknesses and remain faithful.

Aspects of Watching and Praying:

Vigilance (Watching): This involves being sober-minded, aware of your surroundings, and recognising potential pitfalls or "theft" of faith. It means being mindful of the "flesh" (weaknesses) and recognising the need for divine help.

Dependence (Praying): Prayer is the action that secures God's strength to resist temptations that "watchfulness" has identified.

Purpose: The goal is to avoid falling into temptation, to stay prepared for spiritual challenges, and to remain in a constant, connected state with God.

Spiritual Preparedness: It is a call to be ready for unforeseen spiritual challenges or the return of Christ.

Overcoming Weakness: It directly addresses the conflict between a willing spirit and weak flesh.

Daily Application: It implies a disciplined life, free from spiritual laziness, in which one constantly guards one's heart and mind.

Watch (Vigilance):

Stay Alert: It means to remain spiritually "awake" and on guard, much like a sentry at night.

Detect Danger: Vigilance allows you to identify subtle temptations, "snares" of the enemy, or spiritual "weeds" before they take root.

Identify Signs: It involves observing world events through the lens of Scripture to recognise prophetic fulfillments and remain ready for Christ's return.

Why Both Are Necessary:

Jesus explained the need for this dual approach in Matthew 26:41: "The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak". 

Watching without praying is like diagnosing a problem but having no cure.

Praying without watching is like being in a pharmacy but not knowing which medicine you actually need.

Another occurrence of the phrase "watch and pray" is found earlier in Jesus' ministry when He prophesied about the end times. Luke chapter 21 details many of those events, and Jesus warns that they would happen suddenly: "Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, and that day will close on you suddenly like a trap" (Luke 21:34). He then says, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (verse 36).

"Watch and pray." The word translated "watch" means "to have the alertness of a guard at night." A night guard must be even more vigilant than a daytime guard. In the daytime, danger can often be spotted from a distance. But in the night, everything is different. A nightguard must use senses other than sight to detect danger. He is often alone in the darkness, without the defences he would otherwise employ. There may be no indications of enemy attack until it happens, so he must be hyper-vigilant, suspecting it at any moment. That is what Jesus spoke about.

Jesus warned us that we are too easily distracted by the physical and will be caught unaware if we do not continually discipline ourselves. In the Garden of Gethsemane, sleepiness overcame the disciples. Their physical need overpowered their desire to obey Him. He was grieved when He saw this, knowing what was ahead for them. If they did not remain spiritually vigilant, in tune with Him (John 15:5) and ready to deny the flesh, they would be overcome by the evil one (1 Peter 5:8).

Jesus' disciples today must also watch and pray. We are easily distracted by this world, our fleshly needs and desires, and the schemes of the enemy (2 Corinthians 2:11). When we take our eyes from Jesus, and His soon return, our values begin to shift, our attention wanders, and soon we are living like the world.

10 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report