by Jerry Senn
As Jesus left Peter, James and John in the Garden of Gethsemane to enter a season of intensive prayer, he left them with the charge to “watch and pray that you enter not into temptation. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak” (Mark 14:38).
As we know, rather than continuing in prayer, they fell asleep time and again, each time being chided by the Lord. These were good men who loved Jesus a great deal, yet the “flesh” was “weak” so they slumbered and slept the precious moments away. Temptation won out that night.
This may be a weakness we all experience in our personal prayer lives. An authentic and meaningful prayer must be motivated by an intensity driven by a spirit of gratitude. Expressing our genuine thanks to our father is at the heart of successful prayering.
In Colossians 4:2, Paul wrote: “Continuing steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving.” A text note in the ESV Study Bible says something very helpful: “Thanksgiving leavens prayer,” which means our prayers must arise from within thankful hearts. Prayerful words and even prayerful thoughts are without meaning in themselves.
Paul speaks often about thanksgiving in relation to prayer.
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances. This is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. Do not quench the Spirit” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-19).
“Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20).
Watch and Pray