Watch and Pray

32“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. 33Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it^e is near, right at the door. 34Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. 35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.

36“But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son,^f but only the Father. 37As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.38For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; 39and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.40Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other left. 41Two women will be grinding with a hand mill; one will be taken and the other left.

42“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. 43But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. 44So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.

45“Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom the master has put in charge of the servants in his household to give them their food at the proper time? 46It will be good for that servant whose master finds him doing so when he returns. (Matthew 24:32-46)

Thoughts: There are always curious people who want to predict exactly when Christ comes back. There are several who say He should come back now.  The gospel has been preached in every country- with converts in every country (first fulfilled in 1984).  There is a lot of wickedness and the faith of many is growing cold.  There is more persecution in the last hundred years than all the other centuries put together.  But God's timing is perfect.  As someone once said, "The day you think you know is God's day, is the day you are wrong."  People should quit predicting the day and the hour.
    Yet we also have to be aware that others scoff at the idea of His coming back at all.  However, It is hard to separate the teaching of Jesus from his teaching on his coming again.  It is in almost every New Testament book.  We should want a day when evil ends and doesn't triumph.  We should want to let go of this world a bit more, and long to see the face of the One who loves us more than anyone else.  Jesus us tells us to always be watchful, ready, and prayerful.  The Bible ends with the prayer that we should all strive to pray: "Come Lord Jesus."  

Prayer: Lord, we do long for a day when injustice is made just, the haters are condemned, and your true righteousness shows through for what it really is.  

Watch and Pray 5-28-15

2Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should. (Colossians 4:2-3)

Thoughts: A devoted prayer life is both watchful and thankful.  Jesus said to watch and pray (Mt. 26:41; Lk. 21:35; Mk. 13:33; 14:48).  There was a watchfulness for Jesus' coming and also a watchfulness invoked to keep us from temptation.  Watchful here means we are watching for God's hand.  There are many who are not watchful for God but blind to God.  If God answers prayer and we do not see Him, we cannot give Him the glory He deserves.  If we feel our prayers are not answered, we should be watchful that He will act.  On the other hand, when God answers our prayers we should recognize it and be thankful.  Surely part of spirituality is to watch and pray.      Paul then asks that they would pray that God would open a door for them.  God does open doors of opportunities for us.  We must watch for them and give thanks when they come.  Paul also asks that he would be a good steward of the gospel and proclaim it clearly and not in a muddled or fearful fashion.  The gospel is such a golden key to hope for so many that we should look for opportunities to share it and then to make real use of such opportunities. 

Prayer: Lord, teach me to watch and pray.  Help me to search for you and find you at work and then be thankful.  Let me see the opportunities you set before me to do good in sharing your hope with others.  Let me proclaim it clearly- and help the preachers I know to be bold in taking opportunities set before them and proclaim the truth with clarity in these dark times.  

7/23/12- Devoted to Prayer

² Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2)

(Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane- Hoffman- where he said to watch and pray)


Thoughts: For most in the secular West, prayer is something we do when we're in trouble, sad or grieving, caught in a jam or don't know where to go.  But here the advice given not only to the Colossians but to all of us is to devote ourselves to prayer.
    Prayer is conversation with God.  It is talking to God in a relationship, but as many who have a consistent prayer life say, it is also listening.  While the Spirit of God speaks through the Word, the Spirit speaks in providence and in that still small voice when we are watching for it as Elijah was watching for God's presence.
    Our passage says we should be watchful and thankful.  Jesus said it in the garden- watch and pray lest you fall into temptation (Mt. 26:41).  Watching means watching like watchmen in a tower looking for the enemy, but also for a relief column.  We are to be people looking for God's hand and thankful for it.  The world is not watching for God and are blind to His movements.  But we are called to watch and be thankful.
    The way to watch, the way to listen is to pray. Not just a rote prayer- or someone else's prayer.  But developing your own prayer list, your own prayer life.  A prayer list may be for government officials by name, for specific requests for your family members,church leaders and members, sunday school or Bible study group, and people you work with if you work.  Taking a long, slow time to pray is important if you want to be devoted to prayer.

Prayer: Help me to watch and pray with thanksgiving, Lord.  Help me to be devoted to you by being devoted to prayer.