Topical Bible: Prayer: Accompanied With: Watchfulness

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Prayer, a fundamental aspect of Christian life, is often emphasized in Scripture as an act that should be accompanied by watchfulness. This concept underscores the importance of being spiritually alert and vigilant while engaging in prayer, recognizing the ongoing spiritual battle and the need for discernment.

Biblical Foundation

The call to combine prayer with watchfulness is rooted in several passages throughout the New Testament. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus Himself instructed His disciples to "watch and pray so that you will not enter into temptation" (Matthew 26:41). This directive highlights the necessity of being spiritually awake and prepared, especially in times of trial and temptation.

The Apostle Paul also emphasizes this combination in his epistles. In Colossians 4:2, he exhorts believers to "devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful" . Here, watchfulness is linked with gratitude, suggesting that an alert mind is also a thankful one, recognizing God's ongoing work and presence.

Spiritual Vigilance

Watchfulness in prayer involves a heightened awareness of the spiritual realities surrounding the believer. It is an acknowledgment of the adversary's schemes and the need for God's protection and guidance. Ephesians 6:18 instructs believers to "pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" . This passage connects watchfulness with intercessory prayer, urging believers to remain alert not only for their own sake but also for the sake of others in the faith community.

Guarding Against Spiritual Lethargy

The call to watchfulness serves as a guard against spiritual lethargy and complacency. In 1 Peter 5:8, believers are warned to "be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour" . This vivid imagery underscores the danger of neglecting spiritual vigilance, which can lead to vulnerability to the enemy's attacks.

Practical Application

In practical terms, watchfulness in prayer involves a conscious effort to remain focused and attentive. It may include setting aside specific times for prayer, minimizing distractions, and cultivating a mindset of expectancy and readiness to hear from God. It also involves being aware of the spiritual climate, both personally and corporately, and responding in prayerful intercession.

Conclusion

The integration of watchfulness with prayer is a recurring theme in Scripture, emphasizing the need for believers to remain spiritually alert and discerning. By combining prayer with watchfulness, Christians are better equipped to navigate the challenges of life, resist temptation, and stand firm in their faith.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Luke 21:36
Watch you therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand: be you therefore sober, and watch to prayer.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Third Sunday after Trinity Humility, Trust, Watchfulness ...
... Amen. HUMILITY, TRUST, WATCHFULNESS, SUFFERING. ... The command is accompanied by a threat. ...
Such a prayer is pleasing to God, and he tells us to do only what we are ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol iii/third sunday after trinity humility.htm

'Strong Crying and Tears'
... else the three sleepers would not have accompanied Him so far ... A prayer in which
'remove this from me' is ... the three, in whose sympathy and watchfulness He had ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture d/strong crying and tears.htm

Waiting and Singing
... part, which is mainly a prayer for deliverance ... such vigilant expectation will be
accompanied with patience. ... So waiting means watchfulness and patience, both of ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/waiting and singing.htm

Discouragements and Courage
... way to meet opposition is twofold"prayer and prudent ... Watchfulness is indispensable
to vigour of Christian character ... were slaves who had accompanied him from ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/discouragements and courage.htm

Index.
... to amuse the Saint by showing her diamonds, xxxviii.5; the Saint's watchfulness
over herself ... Learning, accompanied with humility, a help to prayer, xii.6 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/teresa/the life of st teresa of jesus/index 2.htm

This ChapterShows How, when God Bestows Greater Favours on the ...
... the strongest reasons for anxiety and watchfulness about it. ... describing the different
kinds of prayer and favours ... of the seventh mansion is accompanied by many ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter i this chapter shows.htm

Repentance and victory
... soul in penitence; for it was accompanied by fasting ... spent, not in feasting, but
in prayer and lowly ... a temper will lead to caution, watchfulness, wise suspicion ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/repentance and victory.htm

Solomon's Repentance
... at Gibeon, when the promise of wisdom, riches, and honor was accompanied by an ... From
such examples we should learn that in watchfulness and prayer is the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 5 solomons repentance.htm

The Gospel According to St. Luke
... he had personally known men who accompanied our Lord ... Martha (x.). Prayer and the
Lord's Prayer, Jesus accused ... anxiety and lack of watchfulness, Christ's coming ...
/.../pullan/the books of the new testament/chapter v the gospel according.htm

The Manich??an System.
... They sent, accordingly, Jesus, whom a god accompanied. ... where he wholly gives himself
up to activity, righteousness, zealous watchfulness, prayer and pious ...
/.../chapter iii name manichaean system.htm