Watch And Pray

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”42 Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”43 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.44 So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again.45 Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.fnSee, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners.46 Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

I recently ministered to a group of my sisters for their Christmas celebration.

I had been encouraged by one of them to wear my pjs.

My first response was, “I absolutely love pjs.

That’s right up my alley.”

But as I began running the next day, Holy Spirit enlightened some things through that Word picture.

He said,

This represents where the body of Christ is at this moment.

Because we’ve seen so much decay and distortion the past several years, our eyes are heavy.

We’re exhausted and want to just get in our pjs, and get ready for sleep.

Much like Elijah running from the threats and taunts of Jezebel.

So then I pondered just wearing my running clothes.

Because He knows my ponders-

He said, you are your first response.

Don’t serve them out of where you wanna be..

But from “wear” you really are.

My heart has made a shift in where my feet are directed.

I do run, but I would be doing my sisters a dis-service, by acting as though I don’t still enjoy my jammies!

We can Take heart, the above passage said that the disciples were experiencing the same thing while they physically followed Jesus.

Jesus made our Spirit not only willing, but perfect.

However, our flesh is weak.

Our flesh tends to cave under pressure.

The enemy knows that, hence the extreme measures of pressure that has tried taking our world by storm lately.

But Jesus also knows.

He knew then, and knows now.

Hebrews says that He can be touched by our infirmities because He’s been there.

In all points, tempted like us, but without sin.

So, His wisdom still stands today.

Watch. And pray.

Watch for what?

What’s really coming out of our mouth and actions.

Jesus already knew what was going on in John 13.

He knew how they would act, despite Hos love for them.

He is the Voice of Prophecy.

His cross’ starting point was when he girded himself with a towel to serve His betrayers-

He stripped off his jammies.. and girded himself to Run- The distance.

Those closest to Him, were the first to experience His dying to the flesh.

The very one that would sell him out, partook of the supper and foot washing party.

Not only did Jesus do the right thing-

But with the right motive.

He tenderly loved them.

And us- for real, above his feelings.

The first verse of John 13 says this:

“Jesus knew that the night before Passover would be his last night on earth before leaving this world to return to the Father’s side. All throughout his time with his disciples, Jesus had demonstrated a deep and tender love for them. And now he longed to show them the full measure of his love.”
‭‭John‬ ‭13:1‬ ‭TPT‬‬

He longed.

My heart has shifted, Brothers and Sisters, and I stir you the same-

I’ve been running.

But I see Him in me, today, longing to go the distance.

My heart is becoming tender.

Just like the One who went the distance for me.