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Eph. 6:18 Prayer (part 5) The Guard of Prayer: Watching
Do you remember the night before Jesus was crucified? In the Garden of Gethsemane with his
disciples, he went off by himself to pray. But, before he left his disciples here is what he said to
them: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation . . .” (Mark 14:38). I believe
this is the last command he gave his disciples before he was arrested. Watch and Pray that you
do not fall into temptation! Today, are you tempted to sin? Do you sin? Do you give in under the
arm of temptation? Yes! We do! Therefore, we NEED this command and we need to understand
this command and put it into practice in our lives! We need it as individuals! We need it as a
church!
In our passage from Ephesians, concerning Prayer, he says, “Keep alert.” Another translation
says, “Watch.” Let me ask, “What good is a soldier, even if he has every piece of armor and
every tool at his disposal, if he falls asleep during battle?” This is the picture we have before
us. STAY AWAKE! BE ALERT! WATCH ALWAYS! And if this is the case we will be able to
stand victorious in battle. With this in mind, what does it mean to guard our prayers with
watchfulness? I have 4 parts to this sermon. 1) What does it mean to “watch.” 2) Why watch? 3)
How do you watch; and 4) Practical applications for watching. The first 3 points will be brief as
we spend more time in application.
1) The meaning of “watching.” What did Jesus mean when he told the disciples to “watch” and
pray? What does Paul mean by the words “watch” or “keep alert?” What does it mean for us to
“watch?” This shouldn’t be too difficult. Physically, we watch television. We watch the baseball
game. And, if we are truly watching, we are aware. We are alert to the things around us. As a
coach of youth sports, how many times do you tell the kids, “look at me,” “be alert,” “focus?”
Kids, have you ever fallen asleep in school or in church and then you hear your father say,
“Wake up,” “Pay attention,” “Listen?” What happens when you sleep? Can you hear the words
of the teacher? Can you learn? Are you aware when they dress you up and put shaving crème in
your hand? NO! So, to watch doesn’t simply mean to stay awake. It means to be alert to your
surroundings.
In the same way, to watch in a spiritual sense is to be awake spiritually, to be aware of what is
going on in the world. It means to watch and be alert in this world so that you don’t sin.
Watching means to preserve your soul in the midst of the battle against sin and the devil. In the
big picture, to “watch” means to look around you, and take notice of this world, be alert in this
spiritual battle so you will be ready for what comes your way, that you may not fall into
temptation.
Now, notice that this “watching” is in the context of prayer. Often, this truth is joined with
prayer. As we’ve already read. Mark 14:38: Jesus said, “Watch and pray that you may not
enter into temptation.” Mark 13:33. Concerning his return, Jesus said, “Be on guard, keep
awake. For you do not know when the time will come.” Luke 21:36: “But stay awake at all
times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take
place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Col. 4:2: “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being
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watchful in it with thanksgiving.” With this in mind, I would say in order to “watch” we must
pray. Our ability to watch is connected with prayer. They go hand in hand.
2) Why must the Christian watch unto prayer? Why is it so important for you to use prayer as
means to watching? Why are prayer and watching joined together? Let me give a 2 reasons.
i) We watch in prayer because there is really nothing more important practically than prayer. Can
you say there is any time more precious and necessary than meeting with almighty God in
prayer? And concerning yourself, can you say there is anything you do that is more crucial to
your soul than prayer? If this is true, is there anything more important to your being able to
watch and to be alert in this world than when you pray. When you pray as you ought, I would
argue there is no stronger time of alertness to the battle at hand and the all the wiles of the devil,
and the fight against sin than when you pray.
ii) We watch in prayer because Satan is so watchful against prayer. Satan knows that our ability
to watch is joined with prayer. And so he fights to keep Christians from praying. In a war, where
should the strongest guard be set, but where the enemy makes his fiercest assault? Satan knows
his greatest defeats come through the prayers of God’s people. The greatest advances of the
gospel come through prayer. So, Satan attacks prayer.
Your ability to “watch,” that is “to stay awake spiritually” in order not to sin, depends greatly on
prayer. So if you want to fall into temptation, don’t pray. If you don’t want to be spiritually in
tune with the things of this world that war against your soul don’t pray. But, if you want
godliness, if you want the gospel to come in power to your life, if you care about your soul, you
will watch and pray.
3) How does the Christian watch unto prayer? In other words, what are some things to think
about in the context of watching and praying? I would say watch before you pray. Watch while
you pray. Watch after you pray. So how can we do this?
Before you pray. As you think about your prayer life, especially your private prayers, watch for
the best times to pray. We cannot always be on our knees before God. We have a million other
things going on in life. So, set your times of prayer. If your special time is morning, do it. If it is
night, do it. If it is on a lunch break do it. Be intentional as you go about your duties at work, or
as a stay at home mom, whatever your roles, make sure you prioritize your times of prayer.
Before you pray, watch your life. Be holy in your choices. Don’t defile your conscience so that
when you come to prayer, you will be ready.
Before you pray, remember the good providences of God in your life. Give thanks in your heart
and your mind throughout the day. Think about good things. Brothers and sisters, “whatever is
true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely,
whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise,
think about these things” (Phil. 4:8). During the day, praise God for his goodness. “Lord,
thank you for providing that paycheck.” “Lord, thank you for those encouraging words from my
brother in Christ.” “Lord, thank you for all your blessings.” Also, during the day, when you get
a moment, confess your sins to God. “Lord, forgive me for my quick, unthoughtful response with
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friends at work.” “Lord, forgive me for not being patient with my spouse.” “Lord, forgive me for
not sharing the gospel when I had the chance with my neighbor.” “Lord, forgive me for places
my eyes went this morning.” In these way, we watch before we pray.
We can also watch while we pray. One of the ways we do this is by staying awake when we
pray. Another way to watch during prayer is to focus. How many times do you start to pray and
then your mind races onto other things? Honestly, I do this often. And then time goes by and I
neglect to continue in prayer.
We can also watch after we pray. We can do this by looking back on our prayers and asking,
“How did we pray?” After God created the world, he rested. And, he looked back over what He
had made and he said, “This is good.” We should do the same about our prayers so we can
increase the quality of our prayers. What kind of farmer would I be if I left the weeds in my
garden? I believe there are lots of weeds in our prayers. For example, if you look at Jesus’
instruction for prayer, are you following his example? Do your prayers include praise and
worship, thanksgiving, petitions, confession of sin? Are your prayers simply too short and full of
nothing? If so, you can watch (stay alert) by looking back over your prayers and looking to
improve them.
Another way we watch after we pray is to consider how God has answered. How has he provided
physically for you? How has he kept you safe another day? How has he given you boldness in
your witness? Who has he saved, encouraged, blessed, because of your prayers? Consider how
you have grown in godliness, or seen Christ as more beautiful in your prayers? These are some
ways we watch unto prayer. Now, I would like to finish with some applications to help us watch.
4. Practical Applications for Watching.
i. Do not harbor sins in your heart. Sin has great effects on your conscience. One of those effects
is to numb it to spiritual things. If you are sinning, and you know it, and you continue in this sin,
your heart will grow cold toward spiritual things, not to mention, your ability to watch and pray.
If this is so, Repent. Confession is good for the soul and your ability to be alert in prayer so you
won’t fall into temptation.
ii. Beware of any excess devotion to the things of this world. In Luke 21:34 Jesus said, “But
watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and
cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.” This has to be one of the
biggest hindrances to our being able to watch and pray. We are distracted like Martha with the
cares of this world. I think this is the meaning of verses that tell us to be sober, not to be drunk
with the things of this world. A drunk man is not very useful. But, when he is sober, he can be
very useful.
iii. Get off by yourself and meditate on truths that stir your soul. Let me ask, “When you are
thinking intently about things that interest you or things that are very serious, how likely are you
to fall asleep?” I don’t fall asleep when I think about Kristen. I don’t fall asleep when I’m in the
middle of a book with a good plot. I don’t fall asleep when I watch Abigail play basketball.
Ladies, when you are cooking your favorite dessert recipe for the Christmas gathering, you don’t
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fall asleep. You don’t fall asleep when you are working on your taxes on Apr. 14th. You don’t
fall asleep when your boss gives you a deadline for a project at work. Why? You don’t fall
asleep because you are interested. Or, what you are thinking about is very serious. In the same
way, we stay awake (alert) when we consider truths that excite our souls. Let me give a few
examples.
Consider Christ’s coming in judgment. Surely, if you are looking for the trumpet of Christ to
sound in judgment upon this world, you will be alert spiritually and not fall into temptation.
Concerning the coming judgment, let me say the reason men and women sleep so soundly in
security is, because they either do not believe this, or at least do not think of it seriously so as to
expect it. I am often guilty of this sin. The servant that is waiting for his master to come home
from a journey will not be sleeping when he comes. And I am sure the house will be in order if
he knows the master is coming.
Consider the devil is always awake. What day in the year is he sleeping? What place can you
hide that he will not shoot arrows at your soul? What member of your body, or your soul is not in
danger from his deceits? Doesn’t your own flesh war within you to give Satan a door? With this
in mind, shall we not always watch and pray?
Consider that ungodly men are awake and hard at work for Satan. Consider how watchful the
men of the world ae to follow their worldly business. They rise early. They work hard. They lose
sleep. They watch their bank accounts, their businesses, their worldly possessions. The thief
plans his jobs and loses sleep to achieve his goal. The adulterer watches and stays up late
planning that next rendezvous. The religions of the world are hard at work to make converts. In
the Garden of Gethsemane, the disciples slept, while Judas was hard at work. As Christians,
shouldn’t we be more at work, staying awake and alert with Gospel activities when we consider
these things.
Consider how short the time is that we are supposed to watch. In the Garden, Jesus told his
disciples, “Couldn’t you just watch for one hour?” (Matt. 26:40). Life is a vapor. It is short. One
day it is here; the next it is gone.
Consider how great a loser you have been already in this life because of your lack of watching.
Just think of all the blessings that could have been yours, all the souls entering the kingdom
through your care, all the disciples that could have been made. Think of the long durations you
have been lazy, not awake to the spiritual health of your soul and your family. If only!
Consider what others lose by your not watching. Bottom line here: Your godliness, your prayers,
your staying alert and watching and praying affects the person beside you. Laziness is catching
church member, Father, Mother, Children. We need each other to help watch. As a church we
spur one another on to godliness. Or, we influence one another toward laziness, etc.
Consider Christ’s watchful care over you. The eye that never sleep nor slumbers always cares for
you. Consider Christ and what he is doing now. He is ALWAYS watching for you as he prays
with all perseverance to the Father. It is his business in heaven, for he lives to make intercession
for his people. (share the gospel and get ready for the Lord’s Supper.)