I watched a video that featured an experienced Catholic exorcist. Drawing from his many experiences, the priest noted that there is a pattern in the attacks of the devil. Sometimes, he retreats leaving the impression that he has given up the fight, and that the battle is over. This tactic has the purpose of getting the prayer warriors to quit praying. Then, when those who are praying let down their defenses, he comes back with a vengeance, hoping to catch them off guard.
Edwin Moses, the famous track star who set world records in hurdling competitions, was once asked what motivated him to work out so hard every day. Even though he had achieved the pinnacle of success in the Olympic games, he said, “I remember that there is an athlete somewhere in the world, practicing their best, to outdo me.” Moses did not give himself the luxury of getting out of shape.
Today Jesus reminds his disciples to keep vigilant in prayer (Luke 12:35-38).
“Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Gird your loins and light your lamps and be like servants who await their master’s return from a wedding, ready to open immediately when he comes and knocks.”
Did Jesus say to put on your pajamas and slippers, turn out your spiritual lamps for a while and take it easy, because you know the master will not return for a while? Did we catch the word, “immediately?” When the doorbell rings, we won’t have to hesitate, comb our hair, and get dressed, because we are already fully dressed with our hand on the doorknob.
“Blessed are those servants whom the master finds vigilant on his arrival. Amen, I say to you, he will gird himself, have them recline at table, and proceed to wait on them.”
Vigilance is a challenge, especially when we think it will be many years before the master arrives. How many people do we know who met death in a sudden, unexpected way? Even the elderly, it is told, believe that they have at least a year or two left before they die. We are motivated to stay vigilance because Jesus will do the unheard of when he arrives. Though he is the Son of God and Lord of all creation, he will put on an apron and tell us to recline at table while he serves us heavenly food. Since we do not know when this will happen, we remain in a posture of prayerful vigilance.
Jesus noted that our ability to wait in sustained prayer will be tested.
“And should he come in the second or third watch and find them prepared in this way, blessed are those servants.”
As I recall, the Jewish people divided the night into three watches. In this case the second and third watches would be from ten o’clock at night until six in the morning. We all hope that Jesus comes at the end of the day, in the first watch. Our prayer power will sustain us for that. But coming in the second or third watches will take strength, patience, and perseverance. When Jesus delays coming, the devil will tell us to drop our guards and become careless in prayer, because we have “plenty of time.” Remember what the exorcist told us about Satan’s tactics. During “lull” times, we spend even more time in prayer, not only to strengthen our defenses but to ready ourselves to penetrate the strongholds of darkness.
“Be vigilant at all times and pray that you may have the strength to stand before the Son of Man” (Luke 21:36).
