Watching and praying are key Christian spiritual disciplines emphasized numerous times in Scripture. To “watch and pray” means to be spiritually alert, aware of what’s happening around us, and consistently committed to prayer. This allows us to resist temptation, walk closely with God, and align our lives to His will.
The most direct biblical passage on watching and praying is Matthew 26:41, where Jesus told His disciples in the garden of Gethsemane: “Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” He wanted them to be spiritually vigilant through prayer to avoid falling into sin.
1 Thessalonians 5:6 also instructs: “So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.” Being spiritually awake requires intentionality in watching our lives and praying consistently.
Watching means being spiritually alert and self-controlled (1 Peter 5:8). It’s examining our inner thoughts and motives (Psalm 139:23-24), while being aware of spiritual warfare and temptations in the world around us (Ephesians 6:18). Watching means being ready for Christ’s return and living obediently while we wait for Him (Luke 12:37-38).
Praying means coming to God constantly in prayer, bringing Him everything on our hearts (Philippians 4:6-7). It’s seeking Him through prayer and knowing Him more as we do. Praying fuels our spiritual life and connects us to God. Watching reminds us of why we need to pray.
Watching without praying leads to spiritual pride and self-reliance. Praying without watching tempts us to be spiritually oblivious and undisciplined. Together they produce spiritual vigilance, as we evaluate our inner selves and rely on God through prayer.
Why did Jesus emphasize watching and praying?
We need to watch and pray because:
- We’re in a spiritual battle – Satan actively tempts us and seeks to destroy our faith. Watching and praying prepares us for spiritual warfare (1 Peter 5:8).
- We easily fall into temptation when we’re spiritually unaware. Watching and praying helps us avoid traps the enemy sets for us (Mark 14:38).
- Busyness and comfort often distract us. Watching and praying keeps us spiritually vigilant, denying ourselves earthly things to prioritize Christ (Luke 21:34-36).
- We drift from God when prayer is neglected. Watching and praying keeps us close to Jesus, aware of our dependence on Him (Matthew 26:40-41).
- We need to align our will with God’s. Watching and praying helps us know His will and have the spiritual strength to obey it (Matthew 6:10).
How do we apply watching and praying in our daily lives?
Watching ourselves:
- Examining our hearts and motives honestly before God in light of Scripture (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Being aware of anxiety, discontentment, pride – anything that reveals sin patterns needing repentance.
- Assessing how we’re using time – are we prioritizing Christ or wasting time on less important things?
- Noticing temptations – what situations, relationships or thought patterns consistently draw us into sinful responses?
- Evaluating spiritual disciplines – are we reading Scripture, praying, participating in church community, etc?
Watching the world around us:
- Being aware of cultural values and trends that may influence us negatively, to resist being conformed to the world (Romans 12:2).
- Considering how to live missionally – opportunities to share Christ’s love through word and deed (Colossians 4:5-6).
- Notice areas of need around us – people who are lonely, hurting, or in need of practical care.
- Spiritual discernment – recognizing sinful thinking patterns or rhetoric we’re exposed to (1 John 4:1-3).
- Being attentive to Christ’s promised return – living obediently and sharing the Gospel urgently (Luke 12:35-40).
Praying in response:
- Confessing any sins that watching ourselves reveals, asking God to shape our hearts (Psalm 51:10).
- Praying for strength to resist temptation and pursue holiness amidst an evil world (Psalm 119:9-11).
- Seeking God’s wisdom in applying Scripture to our lives and our culture (James 1:5).
- Praying for spiritual protection and discernment (Ephesians 6:18, Philippians 1:9-10).
- Praying for opportunities to show Christ’s love to others (Colossians 4:3-4).
- Thanking God for His promised return – finding hope in eternity (2 Peter 3:11-13).
Ultimately, watching and praying help us know God more deeply as we rely on His strength through prayer. This leads us to love, trust and obey Him above all else.
What are the benefits of watching and praying?
Watching and praying:
- Keep us spiritually alert in the midst of temptation and complacency (1 Peter 5:8).
- Prepare us for spiritual warfare against the enemy’s schemes (Luke 22:40).
- Align our will with God’s as we submit to Him in prayer (Matthew 6:10).
- Produce holiness as we repent of sins and pursue righteousness (Psalm 139:23-24).
- Strengthen our relationship with Jesus as we know and commune with Him (Matthew 26:41).
- Attune us to God’s leading as we evaluate surroundings through His lens (Romans 12:2).
- Increase faith amid life’s trials as we rely on God in prayer (Mark 14:38).
- Keep us ready for Christ’s return and sharing the Gospel urgently (Luke 21:36).
- Help us live intentional, purposeful lives of worship to God (Colossians 4:2).
Watching without praying can lead to pride, complacency and ineffectiveness. Praying without watching can lead to oblivion, superficiality and carelessness. Together they produce vigilant, intimate walk with Jesus.
Who does the Bible instruct to watch and pray?
Scripture emphasizes watching and praying for:
- Church leaders – to remain spiritually vigilant in fulfilling their calling (Acts 20:28-31).
- All believers – to align close to Christ amidst temptation and spiritual warfare (Mark 14:38).
- Husbands and wives – to guard their marriages against division (1 Corinthians 7:5).
- Young men – to remain morally pure and spiritually obedient (1 Timothy 6:11-12).
- Bondservants – to work respectfully as serving the Lord (Ephesians 6:5-8).
- Those suffering unjustly – instead of retaliating (1 Peter 4:7).
- All followers of Jesus – to remain ready for His coming (Luke 21:36).
Watching and praying are not just for certain “super spiritual” believers. God commands all Christians, no matter their place in life, to be spiritually alert through consistent prayer.
When should we watch and pray?
The Bible instructs believers to watch and pray:
- At all times – consistently, persistently (Luke 21:36, Ephesians 6:18).
- In temptation or trials – seeking strength to obey God (Matthew 26:41).
- Against sin and spiritual enemies – putting on spiritual armor (1 Peter 4:7).
- To know God’s will – surrendering our desires to His perfect plan (Colossians 4:2).
- With other believers – together seeking God’s work (Acts 12:5).
- Before important tasks – seeking wisdom to serve God well (Nehemiah 4:9).
- When facing hardship or danger – for protection and deliverance (Psalm 5:3).
- With thanksgiving – gratefully acknowledging God’s blessings (Colossians 4:2).
There is no bad time to watch ourselves prayerfully and seek God! We can pray short “breath prayers” throughout each day. Times of extended, focused prayer are also needed.
Jesus gave the command to “watch and pray” multiple times. He knows we need to be reminded constantly to watch vigilantly over our walk with God and rely on the Father through consistent, believing prayer.
Common Questions about Watching and Praying
1. What’s the difference between watching and praying versus just praying?
Watching reminds us of the importance of prayer. It involves self-examination that makes us aware of our dependence on God and sins that need confessing. Watching means being alert to spiritual dangers and opportunities around us. Praying is coming to God in response to sustain closeness with Him. Watching combined with praying leads to vigilant, Spirit-filled Christian living.
2. Is watching and praying commanded in the Bible for all believers?
Yes, Jesus directly told His disciples – including us today – to “watch and pray” (Matthew 26:41). Other passages make it clear this command applies widely to all followers of Christ (1 Peter 4:7, Ephesians 6:18). It’s not an optional extra just for super-committed Christians. Watching our lives and hearts prayerfully is a vital spiritual discipline for everyone.
3. What are practical tips for watching and praying effectively?
Set specific times to watch and pray – first thing in the morning, before bed, surrounding key events. Ask God to search your heart and reveal sin (Psalm 139:23-24). Examine thought patterns, use of time, interactions, spiritual disciplines. Pray through Scripture. Meditate on God’s promises. Seek Him first, aligning life to Christ. Share struggles and temptations with other believers. Ask them to watch and pray for you too.
4. What are potential hindrances to watching and praying?
Busyness and distraction – not taking time to purposefully examine self and connect to God. Sins we refuse to confess and surrender to Him. Pride that thinks we can walk closely to God without persistent prayer. Neglecting Scripture and Christian fellowship. Not acknowledging spiritual enemies that threaten us. Coasting through life without intentionality. We must reject excuses and make time to watch and pray.
5. What happens if we don’t watch and pray as Scripture instructs?
We’ll drift from closeness with God. Temptation and sinful habits will entangle us easily without spiritual vigilance. We’ll operate in our own limited strength and understanding, trying to navigate life apart from the power of the Spirit. Missions and ministry efforts will lack divine empowering. Loving God over all and living for His glory won’t be our focus. Watching and praying are non-negotiable disciplines for following Jesus faithfully.
In Conclusion
Watching and praying are vital Christian disciplines emphasized throughout Scripture. They involve self-examination that reveals areas needing repentance and reliance on God through prayer. Together they produce closeness with Jesus, spiritual discernment, and lives aligned with God’s will.
All believers must watch over their walk with the Lord and come to Him constantly in believing prayer. This opens us to the Spirit’s empowering presence so we can live out God’s purposes. When we neglect watchfulness and prayer, we drift into spiritual complacency and ineffectiveness.
May we heed Jesus’ reminder to “watch and pray”! As we do, we’ll grow dramatically in Christlikeness and intimacy with Him while advancing His Kingdom. Watching and praying position us to live dynamically fruitful lives for God’s glory.