And he [Lord Jesus Christ] came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour?  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matthew 26:40-41

Our Lord, concerned for His disciples, tells them to ‘watch’ and ‘pray’ so they “may not enter into temptation”.  Like them, we can lose sight of our Lord when we are tired, unwittingly becoming more susceptible to temptations. Satan, the great tempter (1 Thes 3:5), shows no compassion or mercy and will strike when we are weak. For example, he tried to tempt our Lord after he had fasted alone in the wilderness for 40 days (Matt 4:1-11). 

Satan is a cunning and powerful enemy (1 Pet 5:8), commanding evil and unseen armies (Rev 12:9). He is not limited to earthly domains, powers or actions. This is why God tells us “we do not wrestle against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12)!

In our own strength, we have no defence against Satan. However, God guarantees us safety and victory stating that “greater is He [GOD!] that is in you, than he that is this world” (1 Joh 4:4). Satan is the “prince of power of the air” (Eph 2:1-2) but our Lord Jesus Christ is “Lord of lords and King of kings” (Rev 17:14) and the creator and sustainer of all things (Isa 45:12)!

As well as warning us to watch and pray, knowing our weakness and the might of Satan (and his armies), our God has provided us with heavenly armour (Eph 6:10-19).  This armour has seven pieces that together provide complete protection. There is no weak spot or flaw in its composition. It enables us to stand confidently and victoriously repelling the fiercest attack.

Notably, the seventh piece of the armour, constant prayer (Eph 6:18), coincides with the second part of our Lord’s warning to His disciples in Matt 26:41. Prayer has several purposes:

1. It enables us to draw on divine love and power. Consider Hannah, for example, who was unable to have children. After much prayer, by God’s grace, she gave birth to one of the greatest and most influential men in history, Samuel (1 Sam 1-2).
2. It deepens our relationship with God. By confessing our sins to God (1 Joh 1:5-9) and conversing with Him we become closer to Him.
3. It brings us closer to each other. Praying for each other is a wonderful privilege that we are exhorted to do (Eph 6:18). It enables us to share the joy and sorrow of others thus bringing us into closer fellowship.
4. It is an opportunity for us to praise God and express our love for Him.

Let us therefore be sober-minded and watchful, knowing the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour (1 Pet 5:8).  Let us also pray without ceasing (1 Thes 5:17)!