Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray
Seven 7 reasons why you should make prayer a priority
This sounds like a direct command. It also seem a bid offensive as well, because we would like to think we are doing the best we can with our prayer life. The disciples were over powered by tiredness, so they fell asleep when they should be praying. This was the one time Jesus needed their support and their strength. Jesus was in great anguish for what he was about to face. Facing the fury and wrath of God, bearing the sins of the world – past, present and future was a very tall order Jesus was getting ready to fill. He needed the support of his disciples. Unfortunately, they were not up to it.
Luke 22:46 records “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” Jesus was emphasizing the importance of prayer, especially at a critical time in the history of the world. This was a life altering and transforming experience that was about to take place. What has been predetermined in the mind of God before the foundations of the world was now becoming a reality, a major shift in the universe for humanity was on its way – the redemption of man. Here prayer was necessary to make the plan of salvation a reality.
Get up and pray was not only applicable to the disciples who needed it at that time, it relates to us today as well. Seeing prayer for what it really is becomes necessary if we are going to have any lasting impact. How many times have we prayed for something and stopped when it doesn’t work as fast as we expect. Or we soon forget the victory that came when we stood steadfast in prayer. I urge you like Colossians (4:2) says “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”
Seven 7 reasons why you should make prayer a priority
- Watch complacency – It is very easy for complacency to step in when prayer is sporadic. Complacency brings a numbness over you spiritually. While you are not spiritually death, you are numb to spiritual things and situations you would otherwise be alert to. Your perspective about kingdom things changes; instead of seeing from the Word’s perspective, you now begin to see from the world’s perspective. We allow things of the world to creep into our lives, unbelief and doubt gradually sneaks in and we give more and more leverage to ungodly standards. Prayer keeps you alert, aware, quickened, well- guarded and focused on the word.
- Watch confusion – God is not the author of confusion. The enemy’s plan is to cause confusion to flood our minds that we cannot make sound decisions. When we find ourselves fretting and becoming anxious about anything, that’s the time to pray about that thing and make our request known to God (Philippians 4:6). When our minds are in turmoil, peace and understanding is lacking. Therefore, prayer fills that deficit, producing peace beyond comprehension. Prayer works for every situation and for everything. Leave no stones unturned in prayer.
- Temptation is always around, however a state of prayer-less-ness makes one more susceptible to temptation. Instead of resisting the temptation, we yield. Instead of running like Joseph we linger and enjoy the pleasure for a moment. Instead of fighting the good fight, we allow the enemy to creep in with doubts and fears. Instead of standing firm, we buckle to the ground. Instead of taking our authority, we give it away. As we pray we tap into the power of God available to us, to resist the devil and watch him flee. We develop the power to resist temptations. Matthew 26:41 also states “Watch and pray, that you enter not into temptation…” Jesus prayed for Simon and the other disciples when he knew the devil desired to sift them as wheat (Luke 22:31). Prayer keeps you sober and vigilant that you are not devoured by the enemy (1 Peter 5:8).
- Strength – We are no match for Satan in our own strength. That’s where he beats us. Jesus knew, the task ahead was humongous, so he prayer for strength. Prayer strengthens the spirit and weakens the flesh. Prayerlessness strengthens the flesh and weakens the spirit. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak (Mark 14:38). If Jesus did not rely on his flesh why should you? His strength is made perfect in our weakness (2 Corinth 12:9). Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness (Isaiah 41:10). Prayer takes brings us to the place where we rely on God’s strength not ours.
- Discernment – prayer sharpens your discernment and your sensitivity to God’s plan. Spiritual discernment is helpful in undertaking what God has placed in your heart. 1Kings 3:9 “So give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of yours?”
- Audacity – this is having the gut to carry out the plan. Anything God calls us to accomplish is never simple. God’s purposes will never be accomplished without much resistance and hindrance of the enemy. Prayer gives you the audacity to pursue what’s in your heart despite what’s facing you. God has given us all we need to execute the plan, but we must find the boldness to do it. In fact when you get started it may seem like all hell is breaking loose. That’s the time to step up a notch in prayer. Don’t quit praying because of frustration. You have what it takes, otherwise God would not place it in your heart. Jesus look at the task ahead, and ask the Father to take away this assignment, but his spirit said, not my will but yours be done. The time he took to pray made the difference in accomplishing this great salvation plan in which we have become partakers.
- Relationship- praying is not about completing one of our Christian routines for the day, it is so much more than that. It is building a relationship and a rapport with God. It is getting to know him better. It is allowing him to reveal himself to us in wonderful ways. It is allowing him to unfold his amazing plan for our lives. He longs for you and me to truly discovering the richness of his inheritance He has for the saints. He wants us to truly tap into his unsearchable riches in Christ Jesus. He wants us to live as stress free as we possibly can – casting all our cares upon him, because he truly cares.
Action plan
Get up and pray. It’s not too late to start again.
Don’t let someone or thing dictate your day. Speak life into your day.
Don’t let the forces of darkness take over and leave you powerless.
Don’t allow the enemy to reap havoc in the office, your home, with your marriage and your children while you stand on the sidelines getting upset.
Don’t give away your authority, that’s what Satan wants. Find what the word says about it and use it.
Get back in your fighting stance, get your guard up again. You are fighting from a place of victory. Stop being the victim and begin to operate like the victor that you were made to be.
Get up even if you have to drag and do it.
Take back the altar of prayer once more, pray the word, and pray it with conviction and authority.
Walk in love for faith worketh by love.
Don’t stop praying just because all seems well right now.