Watch And Pray

Several decades ago, I was told the story of Restoration preacher, Raccoon John Smith sitting down with a Methodist preacher friend for a glass of ale. The Methodist, I was told, asked to pray over the ale and Raccoon John bowed with him. However the Methodist's prayer was so long that Raccoon went ahead and drank his ale. And, as the Methodist continued for some time, he drank his as well.

Finally, after what seemed an interminable amount of time praying, the Methodist preacher raised his head from prayer to find his empty glass of ale. Surprised at the disappearance of his ale, he questions Raccoon , who simply replied, "The Lord said, brother, to 'Watch and pray.'"

That, of course, is not exactly what Jesus had in mind when he said,  “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak" (Matt 26:41), but it does humorously illustrate the point of watchful prayer in which one is alert to the unseen spiritual battle that is raging all around us - the battle for his heart, mind and soul.

Satan doesn't mind if you "say a prayer" but he is up in arms against one who is prayerfully communicating with the Father, mindful of God's glory and his own humanity. The one who simply says a prayer isn't engaged in the battle and is walking into the Enemy's camp having laid his spiritual weapons and armor down.  He is no threat and has no defense against the devil.

But one who pays attention to Satan's reaction to God's work and brings those concerns to the Father is a prayer warrior who is a danger to the Evil one's world and challenges his power over it. By watching and praying, we can direct our heart, mind and soul to the Father's throne; carrying our cares and concerns to lay at His feet, receiving power from on high.

The idea is to looks within yourself and around you as well, noting how you or others in your world are being attacks and specifically lay those things before the Throne. Don't just memorize prayers, remember who and what requires favor from God. And then, prayerfully and carefully bring those before the throne.  Watch and pray. Jus' Say'n.