Watch and Pray by C. P. A. W.

The Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Oct 17, 1871

Watch and Pray.

By C. P. A. W.

“Watch and pray that ye enter not into temptation.” “Peter and the two sons of Zebedee” were not alone in their need to listen to the sacred charge. Every follower of Christ has need to watch and pray lest failure comes in the hour of temptation.

When the spirit of slumber rests heavily upon us then do we need to watch in the darkness of the lone garden with Christ, to arouse ourselves to a consciousness of what he endured to save us from eternal death. If we catch even one glimpse of his great agony, if even one ray of the light of his love unspeakable penetrates our hearts, we cannot yield to love of ease, neither can we dwell upon our sorrows. We are lost, all swallowed up and lost, in his great sorrow! We forget to dwell upon our wrongs; forget to cast reflections upon those who fail to give us sympathy and support in hours of affliction.

Since the dear, pitying Saviour was left to endure alone in darkness, there being not one of all his chosen friends who could cast off the spirit of slumber to watch for one little hour by him. Shall we yield to jealousy and discontent because in our trial, friends fail to turn from engrossing business cares and watch by us?

Away with self and selfish interest. Cling closely to Christ, the unselfish one, who could suffer and die even for those who could not watch one hour with him in his great agony. C. P. A. W.

New Bedford, Mass.