Prayer: The Greatest Neglected Power

Prayer: The Greatest Neglected Power (Matthew 26:41)

Matthew 26:41, “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Trials and even temptation arise immediately and unexpectedly. They jump right up in front of us. Only persistent, sleepless prayer will prepare us for such crises (Ephesians 6:18). The disciples had undergone a long day. It was, in all likelihood, late at night. They couldn’t keep their eyes open. Though just hours before they had professed their allegiance to Jesus in spirit, in their flesh, they couldn’t stay awake. If one cannot endure a little fatigue when there is no suffering, how will one do when the temptation or the great trial of their faithfulness and courage comes.

They were sleeping because of the emotional strain and stress of the evening. They slept because of sorrow (Luke 22:45). The evening had been shocking and taxing. They were weary, fatigued, and preoccupied, therefore concentration in prayer was difficult. They probably fought to stay awake and to pray for their Lord. They were making two mistakes common among believers. The disciples were depending upon their own wisdom and strength instead of God's Spirit to fight whatever battles lay ahead. The disciples were taking God's deliverance for granted instead of assuring His deliverance through the power of prayer. Christ instructed the disciples that the flesh is weak, though our intentions may be strong. So, we ought to pray earnestly that our intentions will be fulfilled in spite of our flesh. Prayer is necessary because of our weakness in the flesh. See these Scriptures: Romans 7:15-20; Romans 8:12-13; I Corinthians 9:27; Colossians 3:5.

The need for prayer during an overwhelming problem is not occasional; it is constant. Jesus is again warning them of the danger of being overconfident of their own spiritual power. The disciples had boasted about never leaving Him. Like the disciples, we have a desire to remain loyal to Jesus. However, because our flesh is weak under the pressure of fear, we can falter in our faith. So, we must prayerfully depend upon God. Our failure to think of prayer as a privilege may be partly due to the fact that we can pray any time. The door to prayer is open so continuously that we fail to avail ourselves of an opportunity which is always there. Calling upon the Lord will either make a man stop sinning, or sin will make him stop praying. Unless we have within us that which is above us, we shall soon yield to that which is about us. D.L. Moody said, "Fervency in prayer by the power of the Holy Spirit is a good preservative against thoughts rushing in. Flies never settle on a boiling pot." Calling on the Lord consistently will help us to keep the fire burning for God in our hearts. It will help us stay alert to destructive temptations that cross our path.

1) Adoration (I Chronicles 29:10-13; Psalm 25:8; 63:3-4; Revelation 4:8; 5:12).
During this time, focus directly on God, adoring Him for Who He is.
2) Confession (II Corinthians 7:9-10; Psalm 25:11; 51:10-13; 139:23-24; Jeremiah 31:34; I John 1:4-9).
We cannot stand before the throne of a holy God with sin between us and our Saviour. Thank God He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins!
3) Thanksgiving (I Chronicles 16:34; Psalm 100:4-5; Philippians 4:6-7; I Thessalonians 5:16-18).
Take time to thank the Lord for what He has done. Thank Him for salvation, the many blessings in your life, protection, provision, open doors, and opportunities.
4) Supplication (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6; I Timothy 2:1-4).
This is the time to ask God for His divine help to meet needs, solve problems, or work in someone's life.

Here is a profound principle concerning prayer: As we watch, that is, as we are mentally disciplined to focus upon that which we ought, and as we pray without ceasing, we will not enter into temptation. Prayer has a spiritually antiseptic quality. As long as we are in a spirit of prayer, we will not walk in the flesh. When we are on the line with God, the devil cant’ get through. The line is busy.

Mr. Roger Babson, in an after-dinner address, made the following statement, "Prayer is the greatest unused power in the world, and faith is the greatest undiscovered resource." Faith is a grasping of Almighty power; the hand of man laid on the arm of God when the things impossible to us become the possible, O Lord, through Thee.

Jesus Christ is the greatest example of prayer. Below are seven points with Scripture to help us concerning our prayer life.

1. Jesus Began Each Morning in Prayer (Mark 1:35).
2. Jesus Valued the Importance of Time Alone with God (Matthew 14:23).
3. Jesus was Persistent in Prayer (Matthew 26:36-44).
4. Jesus Persevered in Prayer (Luke 6:12).
5. Jesus Knew the Importance of Group Prayer (Luke 9:28; Matthew 26:37-38).
6. Jesus Had Faith When He Prayed (Hebrews 11:6; John 11:41-42).
7. Jesus Prayed According to the Will of God (I John 5:14; Mark 14:36).

By dying to our own desires and praying for the will of God to be done, we die to self and the Lord takes pleasure in what we have done.

Prayer: Father, with my whole heart I praise You for this wondrous life of continuous prayer, continuous fellowship, continuous answers, and continuous oneness with Him who lives to pray forever! Father keep me abiding and walking in the presence of Your glory, so that my prayer may be the spontaneous expression of my life with You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

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