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“Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be
counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass,
and to stand before the Son of Man.”

— Luke 21:36

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Why Jesus Taught Us to Watch and Pray

This week I asked my father, John Bevere, to craft the prayer guide. I’ve watched him live this message for four decades, so I’m excited that you’re hearing from him!

Have you ever noticed that when Jesus spoke about prayer, he often paired it with “watching.” He’d say things like, “Watch and pray.” These two are inseparable.

Watching without prayer can easily become speculation—and we already have enough of that! But prayer without watching can become religious routine. However, when we watch and pray, something powerful happens—our hearts awaken, and we begin to align with heaven’s activity.

What Simeon Saw That Others Missed

Scripture gives us a beautiful picture of this kind of life through a man named Simeon.

Luke writes, “At that time there was a man in Jerusalem named Simeon. He was righteous and devout and was eagerly waiting for the Messiah to come and rescue Israel. The Holy Spirit was upon him” (Luke 2:25).

Simeon lived in a time when heaven seemed quiet, and many had grown spiritually numb. Yet Simeon was different. Scripture says he was living with expectation.

But how did he know the Messiah was near?

Scripture gives us the answer: “It had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ” (Luke 2:26).

Simeon was hearing from God.

And on the very day Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus into the temple, Simeon recognized Him. Luke tells us he came “by the Spirit into the temple.” While others saw an ordinary child, Simeon saw the fulfillment of God’s promise.

How? Because a watching and praying posture cultivates a listening heart.

Simeon’s life teaches us that those who consistently posture themselves before God—watching, praying, listening—become sensitive to the Spirit’s voice. They discern what others miss.

In the same way, Jesus tells us that in the days leading up to His return, the world will be filled with confusion, fear, and deception. Many will be caught off guard. But those who practice watching and praying will not be spiritually asleep.

Their hearts will be ready.

Just as Simeon recognized the first coming of Christ, a watching and praying bride will be prepared for His second coming.

Cultivating a Heart That Watches and Prays

Respond

Consider the posture of your own heart today.

• Am I living with the same expectancy Simeon had for the Lord’s return?
• Do I make space to listen to the Holy Spirit through prayer?
• Am I spiritually alert, or have distractions dulled my anticipation of Christ?

This week, make intentional time to watch and pray. Quiet your heart before God. Ask the Holy Spirit to awaken your sensitivity so you can rekindle your expectancy for Jesus.

Remember: the practice of watching and praying cultivates a listening heart. And a heart that is listening is sensitive to the movements of the Spirit.

Closing Prayer

Father, thank You for the example of Simeon—a man who lived with expectancy and devotion. I ask that You awaken my heart to watch and pray faithfully. Teach me to listen to the Holy Spirit so I remain sensitive to Your voice in every season. Just as Simeon recognized Jesus when He came, prepare my heart to be ready for the return of my King.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

John Bevere

P.S. Addison here again—just want to celebrate my dad’s new book The King Is Coming. It just released and is one of the top-selling books in the country right now!