“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Col 4:2; NIV). The Greek word for “watch” is gregoreo, it literally means to stay awake; other Bible translations of this verse use the words, “keeping alert.” In Matthew 26:41, when Jesus was in the garden of Gethsemane, He told His disciples to “watch and pray” because they were getting drowsy when He was going through His time of greatest need. The word “watch” is also used in the New Testament in the sense of being prepared and ready for the second coming of Jesus. In Matthew chapter 24. Jesus was telling His disciples that no one knows when He will return so he said, “watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming.” (Matt 24:42; NKJV). In verse 44, He told them, to “be ready” because His return would be unexpected. We see another reminder to be ready in the book of Revelation, “Behold, I am coming as a thief. Blessed is he who watches and keeps his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame” (Rev 16:15; NKJV). Paul also uses the word “watch” when he exhorts the Corinthians to “Watch, stand fast in the faith” (1 Cor 16:13; NKJV). Other translations say, “be on guard”, “be on the alert”, instead of watch. Finally, lets note the words of Peter, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour” (1 Peter 5:8; NLT).