Watch & Pray by Vance K. JacksonSample

Watch & Pray

“Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.“ Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Take heed, watch, and pray. Surrender your heart to Christ. Choose not to surrender to the ways of the world. For Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭33‬ ‭AMPC declares, “Be on your guard [constantly alert], and watch and pray; for you do not know when the time will come.“

Choose to be constantly on guard. Constantly wash your heart with His Word. Constantly wash your ways with His Principles and Precepts. “And since you don’t know when that time will come, be on guard! Stay alert!“ Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭33‬ ‭NLT‬‬. Stay alert in every season and surrender every area of your heart to God.

According to Strong’s Concordance, the Greek word for “Watch” used in Mark‬ ‭13‬:‭33 ‭KJV‬‬‬‬‬‬ is, ‘agrypneō’ (G69) which means, “to be sleepless, keep awake, watch, to be circumspect, attentive, ready.”

The New Living Translation puts Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬ ‭NLT‬‬ in the following manner, “Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.“ Guard, protect, and keep your heart above all else. Choose not to focus on the ways of the world—choose to focus on Christ.

The Message Bible puts it this way, ”Keep vigilant watch over your heart; that’s where life starts. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead; ignore all sideshow distractions. Watch your step, and the road will stretch out smooth before you. Look neither right nor left; leave evil in the dust.“ Proverbs‬ ‭4‬:‭23‬-‭27‬ ‭MSG‬‬.

Keep going. Keep your heart pure. Keep your hands clean. Don’t talk out of both sides of your mouth; avoid careless banter, white lies, and gossip. Keep your eyes straight ahead—stay focused on your goal. Stay focused on Christ. Ignore all sideshow distractions. Choose to focus your heart on Him.