This wicked world will not continue for ever, because Jesus is coming back (John 14:28), and then the end will come (Matthew 24:14).  Eternity is closer than most people think (Ecclesiastes 3:11)!  Jesus told His disciples not to be weighed down with the problems of this world, or to try to escape the painful circumstances of a sin-sick society with alcohol or other addictions.  The addiction to worry, which has become a compulsive habit for so many, focusses the mind on how we can save ourselves from the troubles of this life; but it is a futile waste of effort because we cannot change the future by worrying about it (Matthew 6:25-34).

No, salvation is not found in any of them but only in the Lord Jesus (Acts 4:12); so we need to be clear minded and alert to welcome Him when He comes.  Watching and praying are two essential disciplines which will help us not to be dragged down by the evils around us (Mark 14:38) and not to miss the hope of Christ's glory which is ahead of us (Titus 2:13).  This is not just some psychological therapy to keep Christians happy in a messy world. It is all about being ready and prepared to stand before Jesus, whose presence will demolish all that is corrupt and establish those who love Him (2 Peter 3:11-13).

To watch is to be alert, careful to please the Lord.  Carefulness is different from anxiety.  Worry will shrink our vision, placing ourselves in the middle of disaster and despair; but being careful to live for Christ enlarges our vision, and places Him at the centre of eternity.  When that happens, He becomes our reference point for everything, our hope for the future, our redemption from the past, our joy and peace in the present (Jude 1:21).  Without making that deliberate choice, our minds and hearts will be swept along with the rest of Christless humanity - either boasting of our success today, in misery because of our failure yesterday, or addicted to diversions which we think will lift our minds away from a hopeless tomorrow.

All these are traps.  They are devilish traps.  We do not have to fall into them.  New believers need to be careful not to boast of their spiritual prowess (1 Timothy 3:7) and those who have another agenda need to repent lest their unteachable spirit lets them sleepwalk into Satan’s clutches (2 Timothy 2:26).  So, we should not be afraid to observe what is going on today or to look forward with hope as we pray.  Our prayer is not just to help us today, but so that we may be clear minded and courageous until Jesus comes or Jesus calls.