Matthew 26:40 And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? 41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
This passage of scripture shows us that whenever possible, we should reserve our most intellectually active hours for prayer, so that our communion with God can be intelligent and have meaning. There are times when we have no choice but to pray when tired, but even at these times we can ask God to strengthen us as we pray, so that our communion with Him can have substance, and also that we may be fortified to stand against the wiles of the devil.
In the instance of Peter and the other disciples in the garden of Gethsemane, Christ poured out His soul to the Father, asking for strength to help in time of need, and the disciples who were also to be sorely tempted, should have joined Him in pressing their petitions to the throne of grace, so that satan would not gain the mastery over them when the soon coming crisis occurred. It is worthy of note that in His gentle rebuke to the disciples, Christ mentions only Peter by name, for he well knew of his previous boasts, and how the devil would undoubtedly sift him like wheat. This was all the more reason for earnest prayer, for as the sacred record shows, it was not long after that Peter resorted to violence and cursing, when satan turned up the heat several notches, in a sudden and unexpected manner. Let's read:
John 18:3 Judas then, having received a band of men and officers from the chief priests and Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. 10 Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest's servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant's name was Malchus.
Matthew 26:69 Now Peter sat without in the palace: and a damsel came unto him, saying, Thou also wast with Jesus of Galilee. 70 But he denied before them all, saying, I know not what thou sayest. 71 And when he was gone out into the porch, another maid saw him, and said unto them that were there, This fellow was also with Jesus of Nazareth. 72 And again he denied with an oath, I do not know the man. 74 Then began he to curse and to swear, saying, I know not the man. And immediately the cock crew. 75 And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly.
It is not good to drop asleep while praying to God, for we may never know what temptations are going to assail us; but if we were to persevere in asking God to strengthen us as we continue to pray, God will respond by giving us His own divine power, for the Christian always wins his battles on his knees, not by might nor by power, or even by solemn promises that we will stand firm, but solely by the Spirit of God. It is God alone who prevents satan from bringing harsh temptations which may cause us to stumble and fall, and therefore whenever possible, let us avoid the snare of waiting to pray, only when we are fatigued and almost ready to sleep, for therein lies great unseen dangers.
We therefore end with a passage of scripture which encourages us to press our petitions to the throne of grace, not with a languid mind, but with fervent prayer, so that we may live victoriously each day, by the power of God working in and through us. Let's read:
Hebrews 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
May God strengthen us to pray without ceasing, for this is the example set for us by Christ. God bless!