Prayer and Overcoming Sin
by Dr. Paul Chappell
“And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither wist they what to answer him.”
Mark 14:37–40
There was a marked difference between Jesus and His disciples the night before the crucifixion. He knew what was coming, but though He had given them warning, the disciples did not recognize the seriousness of what was about to happen. As a result, when it was time to pray, they fell asleep instead. Even after Jesus came back and rebuked them, Peter, James, and John went right back to sleep as soon as He went to pray alone again. Later that very night, because Peter had not fortified himself with prayer, he was vulnerable and failed when the moment of temptation came.
So many times we fill our days and hours with activity—good activity carried out with good intentions—but we neglect to pray. Like Peter we leave ourselves open to temptation when we fail to seek God's face. We must be people of prayer, not just in church or at meals or at bedtime, but on a regular and consistent basis throughout the day. David Brainard said, “Oh! One hour with God infinitely exceeds all the pleasures and delights of this lower world.”
When we do not pray, we are restricted to our own strength. We lose access to the power of God that equips and enables us to overcome the temptations of the devil. Prayer is our protection, and that is why Jesus taught us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).
Mark 14:37–40
There was a marked difference between Jesus and His disciples the night before the crucifixion. He knew what was coming, but though He had given them warning, the disciples did not recognize the seriousness of what was about to happen. As a result, when it was time to pray, they fell asleep instead. Even after Jesus came back and rebuked them, Peter, James, and John went right back to sleep as soon as He went to pray alone again. Later that very night, because Peter had not fortified himself with prayer, he was vulnerable and failed when the moment of temptation came.
So many times we fill our days and hours with activity—good activity carried out with good intentions—but we neglect to pray. Like Peter we leave ourselves open to temptation when we fail to seek God's face. We must be people of prayer, not just in church or at meals or at bedtime, but on a regular and consistent basis throughout the day. David Brainard said, “Oh! One hour with God infinitely exceeds all the pleasures and delights of this lower world.”
When we do not pray, we are restricted to our own strength. We lose access to the power of God that equips and enables us to overcome the temptations of the devil. Prayer is our protection, and that is why Jesus taught us to pray, “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen” (Matthew 6:13).
Today’s Growth Principle:
A Christian who does not pray forfeits the power and protection God offers to overcome temptation.
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