PRAYER IS POWER.

*WISDOM FOR TODAY.*

*PRAYER IS POWER.*

*Scripture Treasure.*

Matt 26: 40-41

*And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour?*

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

*Insight and Highlight.*

Prayer is power. You can not afford to be weak in prayer. If you are weak in prayer you are weak in everything.

*Scripture Commentaries.*

A man of physical strength is weak if he is weak in the place of prayer.

1 Sam 2: 9 *He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.*

Matt 26:41 warns us that people could struggle in the place of prayer.

There are two conflicts:

First is, there can be a conflict between the desire to stay awake in prayer and the physical/bodily tiredness or exhaustion.

This is explained by the the sleepiness of the disciples, Peter, James and John, in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Second is, there can be a desire to pray and the sinful nature that pulls toward sin.

Paul explains the influence of the flesh(sinful nature) on the good and moral intentions.

He writes in Rom 7:15- 21:

*For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.*

*If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.*

*Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.*

*For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.*

*For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.*

*Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me.*

*I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.*

The one who prays must be aware of the bad but strong influence of the flesh.

Paul says in Gal 5:17 *For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.*

Paul is teaching us, giving us a picture of a tug-of-war where the flesh pulls us one way while the Spirit pulls us from it.

Jesus warns us that the flesh does not profit at all, though it trades in pleasure.

John 6:63 *It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.*

Solomon tells us of his attempt to find pleasure but it was all in vanity. He says in.

Eccl 2:1 *I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth: therefore enjoy pleasure: and behold, this also is vanity.*

The flesh trades in pleasure:

Heb 11:25 *Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season;*

Beware of the weakness of the flesh.

Prayer is power over Satan.

The more you pray, the more spiritual grounds you gain and the less is avaliable for Satan and his freshly lust.

*Remorse corner.*

Jesus severally taught about the importance and power of prayer, Lk 18:1.

He taught us that when we pray, we pray for our own good, Matt 26:41.

*Call to Word action.*

If you can overcome the flesh, you will pray.

*The Christian clarion duty.*

Jesus exhorts us to beware of the weakness of the flesh, Matt 26:40.

*Prayer.*

Strengthen me O Lord as l pray. Hear me as l pray, in Jesus name.

*Good morning all and Happy and Merry Christmas.*

Be blessed as you come into His presence today.

God bless you.

Shalom.