Day 116: Sleeping or Praying?

Today’s Scripture: Luke 22:39-46

Central Thought: If we sleep when we should be praying, we may fall into temptation.

It was only minutes earlier that Jesus had predicted that Peter would deny Him. Now they went as usual to the Mount of Olives to pray. Jesus admonished His disciples to pray so they would not fall into temptation (verse 40). While Jesus faced His greatest agonies, His closest companions slept (verse 45). Peter had been warned of what lay ahead, but he was sleeping instead of praying.

First Chronicles 12:32 tells us that the descendants of Issachar were men who understood the times and knew what Israel should do. These were laymen—not priests—but they were alert to the evil of their day. They knew God, stayed true to Him, and knew the mind of God for Israel.

Are we letting the daily grind of our lives—the as usual—lull us into complacency? Are we sleeping or alert and praying for God to intervene in our wicked world? Not only our world, but our own lives, will be strengthened when we pray. Our testimony to the power of God will win unbelievers to Christ.

Devotional Prayer: Lord, may we keep alert with You in prayer, interceding for our generation. Make us a mighty prayer force as we get up and pray so that we will not fall into temptation.

Today’s Bible Reading: Judges 4:1-5:31; Luke 22:35-53; Psalm 94:1-23; Proverbs 14:3-4