Jesus said to his disciples, “could you not keep watch with me for one hour?” (Mt. 26.40)  This has inspired Christians to keep vigil with Jesus starting tonight through Good Friday.

The goal is to meditate upon Jesus’ final hours.

Some stay up all night while others wake up on the hour.  A vigil can be as sedate or as active as you desire.  For example, you can read the passages at the appointed time or when it says Jesus went from one place to another, you can actually go out and take a walk.  The more active approach has the added benefit in helping one to stay awake.

Here is general guide for keeping watch with Jesus.

One last approach is to make “keeping watch” a weekly practice.  Every thursday night, spend one hour in prayer at night.  For Jesus’ specific question was, “could you not keep watch with me for one hour.”