Matthew 26:45 (NKJV) Then He came to His disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.”
From experience, I have found that it is very difficult to wake up early in the morning to pray. Deep sleep and slumber descends on the tired human body making it difficult to wake up.
It is reasonable to deduce from our reading today that the disciples were exhausted from long hours of work with Jesus. But that would be a mistaken assumption to think it was just tiredness. The Devil sends demons to make people sleep instead of staying up to pray. And he knows that when men pray early in the day his operations are hindered.
When men pray early in the day the Devil's operations are hindered. An atmosphere of prayer releases divine light and the presence of God. Furthermore, an atmosphere of prayer releases divine light and the presence of God. It is true that men are more vulnerable to satanic attacks when they sleep than when they are awake. The Devil prefers sleeping giants to awakened “dwarfs”, so to speak.
Moreover, Christians of today would criticise the disciples for not being able to stand with Jesus in prayer when He needed it the most. But did you know every morning is another opportunity to rise with Jesus? I hope He would not find you sleeping three times like Apostle Peter and the two sons of Zebedee.
Here are 3 things to note about rising up early to pray:
1. While Jesus was trying to get the disciples to pray with Him, the enemy was also busily betraying Him into the hands of sinners at the same early hour. We frustrate the Devil’s plans when we rise up early to pray.
2. Even Jesus who had the Holy Spirit without measure woke up early to pray (John 3:34). If Jesus woke up early to pray, who are you to keep on sleeping and resting?
3. Jesus needed direction daily. We all need to pray for direction each morning. The Bible says in Proverbs 3:6 that, “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths”. In John 5:19 Jesus admitted that He could do nothing of Himself, and that He needed guidance from His Father.
Precious one, Jesus is asking you today, “Are you still sleeping when you are supposed to be praying?”
Prayer : Heavenly Father, help me to rise up to pray without ceasing in Jesus’ name, amen.
Related Topics : Prayer, Charles Agyinasare, Charles Agyinasare,
