Be on watch Mark 14:33-37, Matthew 26:37-41.

Keep watch simply means, as believers we ought to be alert of the spiritual ware-fare around us and we also must be prayerful. We must be on guard and in constant prayer because the devil is always on a spiritual battle with God and God’s children.

In any spiritual warfare, prayer is the key weapon we have for the fight. The soldiers have different protective garments and weapon e.g. swords, shield etc, with such, they are ready for the battle. We as believers, prayer is our tool to fight any battle the devil throws at us…

As we know, our battles are not carnal, that is why Paul said ‘for the weapon of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds’ (2Cor 10:4). If we pray always, no matter how strong a stronghold might be, it will be pull down in God’s time.

When we pray, we join with the heavenly host and the Holy Spirit who do not only intercede for us but also teaches us how to pray effectively. We are always asked not only to pray but to be vigilant first and then pray without ceasing. Why?

When we pray, God will strengthen us through his spirit, so that we would be able to know when a crisis arises and in it, we will also be given the grace to overcome the crisis.

Why should we keep watch and pray?

-Spiritual battles are won or lost based on effective watching and praying.

-Without us being vigilant in prayer, it’s very easy for us to be tempted

- The way to avoid falling into temptation is to keep watch and pray.

Prayer can change every situation because when we pray, we are to align our will with that of the Father. ‘Your will not mine be done’

Let’s look at Peter’s story in Acts 12: 5-17; when peter was in difficulty, the church was constantly praying. I am sure their prayer would have been that Peter shouldn’t be killed. Maybe if the church was not praying, he would have been killed like Stephen…

Verse 12b tells us of God’s intervention. We are the church of God today, at this trouble times, we must keep watch and pray like never before, so that, God can change the course and intervene, by giving the world the wisdom to find the solution that is needed to cure this pandemic.

In our prayer, we must remember that things are to be according to His will, however ours is to pray… And as we pray, throughout this pandemic, may we rejoice in gladness like Roda in Acts 12:14b.

We pray for heavenly wisdom to the world leaders and the scientist for this pandemic to stop. Father our eyes are fixed on you, for our help only comes from you, hear our cry we pray in Jesus name Amen.