Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. – Matthew 26:41

On the night of Jesus’s arrest, he went up to the garden or Gethsemane to pray. Three of his disciples; Peter, James and John, accompanied him. In the garden, he instructed them to pray while he went to a secluded place to pray. The disciples struggled to stay awake and pray, as Jesus had asked. When Jesus returned to them, “he found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy.” This shows they were tired and perhaps didn’t fully grasp the gravity of the situation or the importance of his instructions.

Our verse for today highlights the conflict between our spiritual intentions and our physical limitations. The “spirit” represents our willingness to do good and stay steadfast in faith, while the “flesh” refers to our human weaknesses, desires, and vulnerabilities. The disciples were overcome by the desires of their flesh and didn’t have exercise the spiritual steadfastness and discipline when they had to. Jesus is essentially saying that while we may be spiritually ready, our physical nature can make us susceptible to temptation and stagnation, which can lead us astray from our commitment.

Let us prioritize prayer and spiritual watchfulness, recognizing our limitations and relying on God’s power. By doing so, we can navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and faithfulness. May we cultivate a deepening relationship with God, staying grounded in His love and truth [1].