INTRODUCTION

Many of those in the world perceive prayer as a crutch or a tool that shows weakness. Yet, the saint of God knows prayer to be one of the most powerful weapons during times of war. As the Lord Jesus prepared to face the mob that would soon arrest Him, He spent His remaining time in earnest prayer (Matthew 26:36-46 [36] Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder. [37] And he took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and very heavy. [38] Then saith he unto them, My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death: tarry ye here, and watch with me. [39] And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt. [40] And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? [41] Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. [42] He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done. [43] And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. [44] And he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same words. [45] Then cometh he to his disciples, and saith unto them, Sleep on now, and take your rest: behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Rise, let us be going: behold, he is at hand that doth betray me.
See All...). It was during this time that He taught the disciples saying, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
See All...). Prayer does not distract the believer from the battle at hand; rather, it strengthens him and aids him during even the fiercest parts of the battle. Prayer reminds the believer of who he is, who his enemy is, and it reminds him of the power of his God.

DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS

• (For children): Nothing is too hard for the Lord (Jeremiah 32:17Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:
  See All...). The God who created all things can help us with any situation. Thank God that He wants us to be sober and talk to Him (1 Chronicles 16:11Seek the LORD and his strength, seek his face continually.
  See All...; Luke 18:1And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;
  See All...; Colossians 4:2Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
  See All...; 1 Thessalonians 5:17Pray without ceasing.
  See All...).
• (For everyone): How do you perceive prayer? Is it a tool for the weak that yields additional weakness, or is it a powerful resource available to those who are in the midst of a spiritual battle?
• What are some instances when you can recall that sobriety mixed with prayer helped you through some difficulties? How did these two things work together to bring you victory?

PRAYER NEEDS

• Thank God for the privilege of prayer.
• Ask the Lord to strengthen your prayer life.

HYMN

STAND UP, STAND UP FOR JESUS

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