Chapter 36—Watch and Pray

BIBLE GEM

“Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.”—Luke 21:36CWG 88.1

QUESTION

Why is it imperative now, as never before, that Christians diligently watch and pray?CWG 88.2

ANSWER

Time is short: “The great conflict that Satan created in the heavenly courts is soon, very soon, to be forever decided.... Now, as never before, Satan is exercising his deceiving power to mislead and to destroy every unguarded soul.”—Testimonies For The Church 7:141CWG 88.3

Satan's methods: “When he finds himself foiled upon one point he takes new ground and fresh tactics, and tries again, working wonders in order to deceive and destroy the children of men. The youth should be carefully warned against his power.... They should be led to cling to the Word of God and give attention to counsel and advice.”—Testimonies For The Church 4:212CWG 88.4

Tested individually: “Satan is to make most powerful efforts ... in the last great conflict.... The faith of individual members of the church will be tested as though there were not another person in the world.”—Ellen G. White Comments, The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 7:983CWG 88.5

Evil angels assist: “He [Satan] has legions of evil angels that he sends to every point where light from heaven is shining upon the people. Here he stations his pickets to seize every unguarded man, woman, or child and press them into his service.”—Testimonies For The Church 4:210CWG 88.6

Constantly on guard: “Let every soul be on the alert. ... Be vigilant, watching diligently lest some carefully concealed and masterly snare shall take you unawares.... Unless we are constantly on guard we shall fall an easy prey to his unnumbered deceptions.”—Testimonies For The Church 8:99, 100CWG 88.7

A comforting assurance: “Satan leads many to believe that prayer to God is useless and but a form. He well knows how needful are meditation and prayer to keep Christ's followers aroused to resist his cunning and deception.”—Testimonies For The Church 1:295CWG 89.1

“The prayer of faith is the great strength of the Christian and will assuredly prevail against Satan.”—Testimonies For The Church 1:296CWG 89.2

Walk prayerfully: “The enemy cannot overcome the humble learner of Christ, the one who walks prayerfully before the Lord....CWG 89.3

“Had Satan been suffered to have his way, there would have been no hope for Peter. He would have made complete shipwreck of faith. But the enemy dare not go one hairbreadth beyond his appointed sphere. There is no power in the whole satanic force that can disable the soul that trusts, in simple confidence, in the wisdom that comes from God.”—My Life Today, 316CWG 89.4

SUMMARY AND PRAYER THOUGHT

Church leaders, administrators, ministers and their wives, families and church officers are under special intense, sophisticated cruel attacks of the enemy.CWG 89.5

Satanists spend lengthy periods of time praying to the devil especially from midnight to three a.m., for the downfall of the Christian ministry. They will teach their children from an early age and especially train them as they grow in everything that is evil. They also teach them what Christians believe and when they grow up then they are sent to infiltrate and join Christian churches with only one purpose in mind, to drag down people into sin and hell, especially through sexual sins. They are serious and totally dedicated to the work of Satan. They even fake to become baptized members. They are rewarded when they seduce anyone, especially those in leadership.CWG 89.6

Do we need to pray? You better believe it! Only those that are vigilant in prayer and constantly on guard at all times, indwelt and under the constant control and guide of the Holy Spirit will be safe.CWG 89.7