The Fine Print: Don't Press Snooze
- Mar 3
- 6 min read
Updated: Jun 19
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
Wake Up!
Hey friend, welcome back to The Fine Print! You already know following Jesus has its challenges, and today, we’re about to dig into a part of the journey that gets way too real: staying spiritually awake. So, what does it mean to be spiritually awake? Great question.
Before we dive into that, let’s look at an example. Have you ever been so sleepy in church? Okay, okay…I know you’re probably shaking your head like, "Not me!" But what about when you're trying to read the Bible? You sit down, ready to dive into the Word, and before you know it, you’re knocked out cold. You wake up like, "Wait, what happened? Sorry, Jesus." Or maybe that’s just my personal truth!
But here’s the thing—if we have a trip planned or something exciting coming up, we can barely sleep. We’re so full of anticipation that we don’t want to miss a thing. So why isn’t it the same when it comes to reading the Word or sitting in God's presence?
We’re diving into that moment in the Garden of Gethsemane when Jesus asks His closest friends—Peter, James, and John—to stay up with Him and pray. Spoiler alert: they didn’t. Instead, they fell asleep. Not once. Not twice. THREE TIMES. And listen, before we start shaking our heads at them, let’s pause and think about what went down before this.
Before they got to the garden, they’d just eaten a whole meal. And not just any meal—the Last Supper. They’re full of bread, wine, probably some lamb, and all kinds of emotions from Jesus dropping bombs like, “One of y’all is going to betray Me.” Whew, bless it.
You know how you feel after Thanksgiving dinner? That’s them. Heavy eyes, full stomachs, and now they’re supposed to be on high alert? Sis, let’s be honest—how often do we get sleepy on Jesus because we’re too full of life’s distractions? Let’s unpack it together.
Jesus actually gave us the answer:
"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." (Ephesians 6:12 NIV)
The enemy seeks to distract and discourage believers from being grounded in God's truth.
So what does that actually mean? Let’s break it down:
Flesh and Blood: This refers to the physical, human world—our everyday, tangible reality. But our true battle isn’t against people, situations, or circumstances.
Rulers, Authorities, Powers of Darkness: These represent the unseen forces of evil—spiritual influences that work to distort truth, sow confusion, and lead us away from God.
Spiritual Forces of Evil in Heavenly Realms: This is the spiritual battle happening beyond what we can see. The enemy works to distract, discourage, and deceive believers to keep them from walking in God’s truth.
So you see, there’s a lot going on in the spiritual realm while you’re trying to grow deeper in your spiritual journey. Jesus told His disciples to stay awake. Those instructions are still valid today. Take a closer look, and you’ll see how the enemy uses distractions, discouragement, and deception to pull us away from God.
Why It’s Important to Stay Spiritually Awake
Staying spiritually awake isn’t just a suggestion—it’s essential. When we let ourselves become spiritually drowsy, we become more susceptible to the enemy’s tactics. Distraction turns into distance, and distance turns into disconnection. The enemy doesn’t need to destroy us if he can distract us long enough to keep us ineffective.
When we stay spiritually awake, we remain grounded in God’s truth, equipped to recognize lies, and empowered to stand firm in faith. Our awareness helps us pray effectively, resist temptation, and walk confidently in God’s purpose.
Staying Spiritually Awake Is a Call
“My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with Me.” – Matthew 26:38
That's a weighted statement Jesus made in the verse above. Jesus invited Peter, James, and John to share in His burden. He didn’t ask them to take it away or fix it—He simply asked them to stay and pray. It was an invitation to partner with Him in the spiritual battle unfolding in that moment.
Real-Life Application:
Friend, how many times has God invited you to stay spiritually awake? Maybe it’s a call to intercede for a friend, to worship in the middle of your own pain, or to spend quiet time in His presence. Staying awake means being attuned to His voice and available for what He’s doing, even when it’s inconvenient.
The Flesh Will Always Fight You
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:41
Let’s be real—Peter, James, and John probably had every intention of staying awake. They’d just come from an emotional Passover meal, and they were exhausted. Their spirits were willing, but their bodies gave out. Jesus wasn’t harsh with them; instead, He acknowledged their humanity and reminded them to lean into prayer.
Real-Life Application:
Friend, staying spiritually awake isn’t easy. There’s always a reason to “sleep”—whether it’s physical exhaustion, distractions, or even apathy. Recognize the tension between your spirit and your flesh, and choose to lean into God’s strength. When you feel like giving up, whisper this prayer: “Lord, help me to stay awake. Strengthen me to do what my spirit longs to do.”
Don’t Miss the Moment
“Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour is near.” – Matthew 26:45
When Jesus returned to the disciples the third time, the moment had passed. The opportunity to watch and pray with Him was gone, and the betrayal was at hand. It’s a sobering reminder that spiritual moments can’t always be reclaimed.
Real-Life Application:
Friend, God is moving right now. Are you awake to it? Whether it’s in your family, your church, or your own heart, there are moments we’re called to step into with urgency. Don’t let the distractions of life cause you to miss what God is doing. Ask Him to open your eyes and give you a heart that’s sensitive to His timing.
Prayer Is Your Weapon
“Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” – Matthew 26:41
Jesus gave the disciples the key to staying awake: prayer. It wasn’t about their physical strength—it was about leaning into the power of God through communion with Him. Prayer is what sustains us in the moments we feel weakest.
Real-Life Application:
Friend, when the battle feels overwhelming, drop to your knees. Whether it’s a five-minute prayer in your car or an hour of pouring your heart out in your room, prayer keeps you spiritually alert. Make it a daily practice, and watch how God strengthens you to stay faithful.
Anticipation Fuels Awareness
Why do we stay awake for fun things but struggle to stay awake with God? Simple: anticipation. When we're excited about something, our bodies naturally respond. But if time with God feels like an obligation, we’ll treat it like a boring lecture instead of a life-giving encounter.
Real-Life Application:
Ask God to give you a fresh hunger for His Word. Change your perspective. Instead of "I have to read my Bible," think, "I get to hear directly from the God who created me." Approach it with curiosity and expectation. God always shows up when we seek Him sincerely.
Prayer:
Jesus, thank You for reminding me to stay spiritually awake. I admit, sometimes I get distracted, tired, and even a little lazy when it comes to spending time with You. But I don't want to sleep through the moments You’re inviting me into. Give me fresh excitement for Your presence and help me stay alert. Keep my heart open and my spirit engaged, so I don't miss what You're doing. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Conclusion:
Staying spiritually awake isn't about perfection; it's about intention. The disciples didn’t get it right that night, but Jesus still loved them. And guess what? He still loves us when we fall asleep, too. The key is to keep showing up, staying aware, and asking God to help us stay engaged.
So next time you're tempted to hit snooze on prayer time, just remember: if you can stay up for a trip to the beach, you can stay awake for a trip through the Word. And trust me…it’s the most exciting journey you’ll ever take. ❤️
