The Prayer Filled Life – Day 83 – Mark 14-38 – Watch And Pray So That You Will Not Fall Into Temptation – Growing As Disciples
Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” Mark 14:38 (NIV)
Watch And Pray
That is what I will do. What will you do? I will watch and pray. I will keep my heart and mind and life focused on you. I will be vigilant. I will remain on guard. Why is this important? This is a sin broken world filled with temptations seemingly at almost every corner. Temptations come in all shapes and sizes. Temptations come in a variety of forms. Name a few temptations that you find most dangerous. There is the temptation to be proud. It is easy to think of oneself more highly than one ought. Out of pride flows a multitude of deadly temptations. Like what? There is the temptation to be seif-reliant and self-sufficient. There is the temptation to be self-satisfied, self-indulgent, and self-centered. That is the nature of pride, it makes one the center of their own universe. Everything revolves around a prideful person. A prideful person is so focused on themselves that they have no defense against temptation. Why is that? A humble person knows their limits. A humble person dares not foolishly rely on their own power and strength to resist temptation. They know that such an effort will certainly fail. What then will you do to resist temptation? I will submit myself to you. I will draw near to you. I will humbly rely on your power and strength. I will keep my eyes on you. You will help me to resist temptation. You will help me to fight against evil. What else will you do to resist temptation? I will steer clear of temptation when I see it approaching. I will flee temptation as it comes near me. I will run away from temptation as I run to you. You sound urgent, why is that so important? Nothing is more foolish than to hang out and linger around temptation. Temptation is alluring. Temptation is enticing. Temptation is powerful. I will not allow myself to remain in tempting situations. I will not allow anything to feed temptation in me. In every way I watch and pray so that I will not enter into temptation. That is very good. Rely on me, I will watch over you. I will guard you. I will protect you. Thank you, Lord.
Lord, I will draw near to you. I will remain in your presence. I will submit my heart and mind and life to you. Help me to be prayerfully watchful so that I will not fall into temptation. Help me to quickly exit tempting situations when I see them approaching me. Amen
Key Question… How is being prayerfully watchful helping you to keep your heart and mind and life focused on the Lord?
Living It Out… Draw near to the Lord and be prayerfully watchful with Him so you do not fall into temptation.
Seeing It Happen… Have faith that the Lord will help you to be prayerfully watchful as you draw near to Him.
Get Ready To Share… Share with another person or your small group how drawing near to the Lord has helped you to be prayerfully watchful.
Prayer To Bless Others… May you watch and pray so you do not fall into temptation.
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