Luke 21:36 36But stay awake in every season, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”
Jesus next gives the positive behavior disciples should do while awaiting his coming again. The second imperative is similar in meaning to the first: stay awake (agrypneite), be alert, watch out, and be concerned about the situation. Jesus adds a time frame that is inclusive of every time and situation. We tend to get lazy, which opens the door to compromise. How can we stay alert and ready? The most crucial way is to pray. There is a direct link between prayer and having strength. Without prayer, we will grow spiritually weak, which then will affect our behavior and weaken our resistance against temptation.
Prayer will result in two positive outcomes. First, it will give us the spiritual strength to escape the coming destruction described in verses 25-26. We do not need to have an end-time chart figured out. We just need to be doing what Jesus commanded. Second, prayer will enable us to stand before the throne of Jesus on the day of judgment. Prayer prepares us and guides us in the obedient life of discipleship. Prayer connects us to God’s gift of grace that can sustain us through difficult times and lead us to spiritual victory. Prayer is the source for spiritual maturity that gives us assurance of salvation and confidence to stand before the judgment seat of Jesus Christ.
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