We are exhorted in several places in the New Testament to ‘be alert!’
“Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13 NASB)
“With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints…” (Ephesians 6:18 NASB)
“Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving;” (Colossians 4:2 NASB)
“so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober.” (1 Thessalonians 5:6 NASB)
What do these passages have in common?
– They were written by the Apostle Paul.
– The churches in these cities were planted by Paul and his church planting teams.
– The concepts of being alert and prayer are closely tied together. The thrust behind the word ‘alert’ in these verses was to be vigilant and watchful, like a soldier guarding his assigned area.
Why would Christians in that day and time need to be alert, watchful and praying? Because they were under attack. Because God was using them to establish something significant, something that has lasting influence today in many lives.
And so, we do need to be alert, to watch and to pray. I believe that God will honor our prayers and bless His church!
