Can You Stay Awake 1 Hour?
I was excited to get up this morning! Yesterday, Holy Spirit told me that we would be moving into Matthew 26:40, which was the verse right after the one we had a conversation about yesterday. And I already knew why.
He came back and found his disciples sleeping. So he said to Peter, “Can’t any of you stay awake with me for just one hour? — Matthew 26:40 CEV
See, this blogcast that you’re reading and listening to is an assignment God gave me during my prayer time with Him back in 2019. For the last two years, I have been waking up and praying. I’ve been listening to the voice of God give me guidance, instructions, assignments, encouragement, and strength. But it took a process for me to get here! The 1 Hour Prayer Challenge was the process that was introduced to me through a small group at my church. It changed my whole life!
Over the last several months, I have been working on a book project that God assigned me during our time together. But before I get into that, I want to share with you what Holy Spirit said to me this morning!
Don’t just do just enough, give Me more room. Give Me more time.
Set an appointed time.
Show up willing, ready, and able.
As I wrote all of this down in my journal, I thought about the lyrics to the song (which is also a scripture): Morning by morning, new mercies I see.
22 The Lord’s kindness never fails!
If he had not been merciful,
we would have been destroyed.
23 The Lord can always be trusted
to show mercy each morning. — Lamentations 3:22-23 CEV
Every morning, we get new mercy! Let that sink in for a moment. Every morning, we get new mercy! As I prayed, cried, moaned, sung made-up worship songs, and just laid face down in the presence of the Lord, I didn’t want to leave that place.
When we look at the scripture in Matthew 26:40, the Lord asked Peter and the other disciples whom he found sleep as HE WENT TO PRAY (see verse 39), couldn’t yall stay awake with me for just 1 hour?
1 Hour!
1 Hour!
1 Hour!
How can you stay awake and spend 1 Hour with God? That was the very question I had back in 2019? But the 1 Hour Prayer Challenge has answered it over and over and over and over and over and over and over again, for me and so many others who have taken the challenge!
Lately, I have struggled to do 1 Hour. See I got to be transparent with you. How is that even possible after I just told you I have done it numerous times? I believe it’s because God wants me to always rely on HIM to do anything, including coming to Him in prayer. Plus the next verse after Matthew 26:40 tells us why.
“Stay awake and pray that you won’t be tested. You want to do what is right, but you are weak.” — Matthew 26:41 CEV
As much as I want to do what is right, which is spend 1 Hour with God first thing every morning, I be weak sometimes. My flesh is weak. I love how the NIRV translation says it:
“Watch and pray. Then you won’t fall into sin when you are tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” — Matthew 26:41 NIRV
I thank God for the opportunity to spend time with Him every morning. Once I push past sleepiness and just get on up and head to the prayer closet, I surrender and just let Him take over. It took awhile (and sometimes I still struggle with it), but allowing Him to use me in prayer has been one of the most purposeful things I have ever done. Praying in the spirit has also taken all of the weight of prayer off of me. I just surrender and pray in the Spirit. Holy Spirit then intercedes FOR ME!
But as the Holy Spirit said to me this morning: Show up willing, ready, and able!
This morning as I celebrate the launch of my new book, The 1 Hour Prayer Challenge Book & Journal, I give my Lord and Savior all the praise for allowing me to be a vessel used for the up-building of His kingdom! God gets the glory for my story and for yours!
P.S. I just love my Conversations With God! Don’t you?
Disclosure: Amazon Links listed on this blog are connected to the On Assignment by God Amazon Associate Store. If you use the links posted, I may get a small commission. You’re not obligated to use the link. All proceeds are used for the upkeep of this website.
SALVATION PRAYER
If you don’t know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior and you’re not a believer, but you have a desire to be, all you have to do is openly confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). When you pray that prayer, you are saved. Get connected with a good, bible-based church in your community, stay connected to other believers, and start having daily conversations through prayer with God every single day. Welcome to your new life with Jesus Christ!!!
ASSIGNMENTS
What did Holy Spirit say to you in your conversation with Him this morning? (Be sure to write it all down).
Can you stay awake 1 Hour with God? (Hint: Grab the new book and take the challenge)!
Record yourself reading the Word of God on video or audio and watch how God will use your own voice to give you revelation and build your faith (keeping this assignment on here for a while).
Struggling with Consistency? I want to help you! Leave me a message! Text 601-299-4398!
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