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Watch & Pray — Pray & Watch
In the Bible “watching” is often connected with prayer. In the following verse we are to first “watch” in order to keep out of our lives those things that would hinder an effective prayer life. “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation” (Matthew 26:41). David realized this when he penned the words, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me” (Psalm 66:18). We need to always be on our guard that we do not allow sin, or worldliness to dull our affections, chill our souls, or lull us into spiritual complacency. These things will hinder “effectual fervent prayer” (James 5:16).
However in the following verses you will notice that the order is reversed. “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints” (Ephesians 6:18). “Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving” (Colossians 4:2). This is the thought of persevering. Persevering in prayer would imply, not only turning to God in some special need, but the habitual attitude of dependence upon God. “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray” (Psalm 55:17). However prolonged the trial, though the answer may be delayed, we are to “persevere in prayer,” and then to give thanks for whatever the answers are.
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