Three sobering reasons why Advent should make us want to pray more

 …And three questions to ponder.

Reasons #1 and #2 are from my Advent readings this morning.  Reason #3 is from Ephesians chapter 6, a passage I constantly return to where the Apostle Paul admonishes us to put on the entire armor of God.

1.  Mark 13:35-37 (New International Version, ©2010)

   ³⁵ “Therefore keep watch because you do not know when the owner of the house will come back—whether in the evening, or at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or at dawn. ³⁶ If he comes suddenly, do not let him find you sleeping. ³⁷ What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’”

2.  Luke 22:47-53 (New International Version, ©2010)

 ⁴⁷ While he was still speaking a crowd came up, and the man who was called Judas, one of the Twelve, was leading them. He approached Jesus to kiss him, ⁴⁸ but Jesus asked him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”  ⁴⁹ When Jesus’ followers saw what was going to happen, they said, “Lord, should we strike with our swords?” ⁵⁰ And one of them struck the servant of the high priest, cutting off his right ear.
 ⁵¹ But Jesus answered, “No more of this!” And he touched the man’s ear and healed him.
 ⁵² Then Jesus said to the chief priests, the officers of the temple guard, and the elders, who had come for him, “Am I leading a rebellion, that you have come with swords and clubs? ⁵³ Every day I was with you in the temple courts, and you did not lay a hand on me. But this is your hour—when darkness reigns.”

3.  Ephesians 6:12-13, 18 (New International Version, © 2010)

¹² 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. ¹³ Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.

 ¹⁸ And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.

The three Questions…

1.  Are you watching?
2.  Where is darkness reigning in your life?
3.  What is God asking you pray about right now?