A recipe for avoiding temptation (Matthew 26)

As Jesus was praying in the Garden of Gethsemane He took several disciples along: Peter, James, and John.  He encouraged them to stay awake, and then left to pray.  When He returned, Jesus found all three fast asleep.  The words He spoke to them after waking them up are valuable to us even today: "watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation," (26:41a).  The person who falls to temptation is not watching or praying.  Imagine being on a battlefield and having no clue what was around you.  More than likely a solder from the other side might instigate a surprise attack, and you would be helpless.  Isn't the same true of sin?  If we're not mindful of our surroundings, how can we avoid the temptations that we know will catch us up?  And if we're not in contact with our Commanding Officer who is there to give us guidance, how can we stand our ground?  The follower of Christ who is both alert and prayerful is the one who succeeds at avoiding temptation.