Watch and Pray

Today is Maundy Thursday and today I've had trouble focusing.

I want to remember - Jesus' body was broken for me.  Jesus' blood was shed for me.

My life came from His death.

Jesus washed the disciples feet - He served them.  Jesus serves me.  He comforts me.  He helps me.  He is patient with me.  

I want to believe - Jesus in the Garden.

Do not let your hearts be troubled.  Believe in God.  Believe also in me.

Jesus asks His disciples to pray.  I want to pray.

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

Watch and pray - but in the midst of distraction...I realize I am as weak as the disciples were.

Where is the hope in this?  

The hope is that when I fumble and fail to pray to Jesus...Jesus still prays for me.

He prayed for Peter.

Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Simon that your faith will not fail.  And when you turn back, strengthen your brothers.  (Luke 22:31-32)

What would it look like if you inserted your own name into the verse?

Steven, Steven, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat.  But I have prayed for you, Steven that your faith will not fail.  And when you turn back, strengthen your brothers.

In the midst of this pandemic it may feel like your faith might fail.  But Jesus still prays for us that our faith will not fail.

Jesus knew what would happen to Simon Peter on Good Friday.  The denials, the broken promises, the shame, the failure.

Jesus knew how you and I would fail too.  The denials, the broken promises, the shame, the failure.

And HE still prays for you and me!  He lives to intercede for [us]. (Hebrews 7:25b)

So on this Maundy Thursday even though I am distracted my Savior is not!

So on this Maundy Thursday even though I forget my Savior remembers!

So on this Maundy Thursday even though I am prayer-less my Savior is prayerful!

He is faithful!  

In Christ, 

Steven Helfrich