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A CALL TO DILIGENCE

 Keep alert and pray. Otherwise temptation will overpower you. For though the spirit is willing enough, the body is weak!"   – Matthew 26:41 (NLT)

      Jesus’ disciples are found sleeping while He agonizes in the Garden of Gethsemane . The hour is late, the countdown to the Cross has begun, and the Christ is focused on the sacrifice He will make on behalf of the world. Even at this time, when most would find a word of stern rebuke for the disciple’s lack of focus, Jesus sees an opportunity for ministry. He tells them that without prayer, without ongoing dialogue with God, they will be caught in the Tempter’s snare. Jesus sees within their souls a true desire to follow God to the furthermost point, but something else within them is at ease with the life lived prior to receiving His call to commitment.

      It would appear that the pull toward complacency is not something to be accepted as the norm for the believer. In fact, Jesus makes it quite clear that a focus drawn away from Kingdom values and goals is in reality surrender to the Enemy. What is the solution? Pray, pray some more, and pray again. Only when we commune with God in prayer are we equipped to focus on and live out the only life that is really worth living.