“Sit here while I pray.” Mark 14:32

The Watching

We all know the power and importance of prayer even though we may struggle with it at times. I have learned that the best way to grow in prayer is simply to pray. The more one prays, the more one has a desire to pray. You develop an appetite for prayer. You will grow into prayer as you practice it.

In Mark 14 I saw another aspect of prayer. Jesus tells His disciples, “Sit here while I pray” (verse 32). In verse 34 He says, “Stay here and watch.” He comes back to them in verse 38 and says, “Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation.” And finally in verse 41, Jesus says, “…It is enough. The hour is come…”

Initially Jesus is not even asking them to pray for Him. He wants their presence. He is doing the heavy lifting here. He is praying to His Father in preparation for the cross. Sometimes we just need to be there for Jesus in a state of waiting with Him in the work He is doing. Sometimes we can sit quietly before Him and connect with His heart, watching to see what God will do and what God will speak. This is a time of contemplation that goes beyond words, platitudes, or petitions. There are times to just stay and watch.

And then there are the times He is asking us to not only watch with Him, but pray as well. When Jesus asks this of the disciples, it was not for His sake. His mind was made up, His course was set, His soul was set on Calvary’s redemption. It was for their sakes. It was to strengthen them for the things that would come. It was to keep them from temptation. Prayer would prepare their own hearts to meet the assaults of Satan’s schemes. Prayer would keep them attuned to God’s purposes and prayer would keep them from sin.

And then comes that time when you know you are “prayed up.” There is that moment that settles in your soul and echoes, “God’s got this.” It is enough. The hour is come.

“Father, be our help. May we often resort to You. May we be ever mindful of the kingdom work You are still doing. As we watch and wait before You, direct us and use us in this dying world. All for Your glory, Amen.”