Question: Can you think of a time when you were in a very difficult situation. How did you pray?
32 They went to a place called
Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, “Sit here while I
pray.” 33 He took 3 disciples along
with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. 34 “My
soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” he said to
them. “Stay here and keep watch.”
35 Going a little farther, he fell to
the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. 36 “Abba, Father,” he
said, “everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not
what I will, but what you will.”
37 Then he returned to his disciples
and found them sleeping. “Simon,” he said to Peter, “are you
asleep? Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour? 38 Watch
and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing,
but the flesh is weak.”
39 Once more he went away and prayed
the same thing. 40 When he came back, he again
found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to
say to him.
41 Returning the third time, he said
to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has
come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise!
Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”
43 Just as he was speaking,
Judas, one of the Twelve, appeared. With him was a crowd armed with swords
and clubs, sent from the chief priests, the teachers of the law, and the
elders. 44 Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with
them: “The one I kiss is the man; arrest him and lead him away under
guard.” 45 Going at once to Jesus, Judas said,
“Rabbi!” and kissed him. 46 The men seized
Jesus and arrested him. 47 Then one of those
standing near drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest, cutting
off his ear.
48 “Am I leading a
rebellion,” said Jesus, “that you have come out with swords and clubs
to capture me? 49 Every day I was with you,
teaching in the temple courts, and you did not arrest me. But the
Scriptures must be fulfilled.” 50 Then everyone
deserted him and fled.
Human weaknesses and responses in the face of trials .
· Responding in fear (instead of praying)
· Using our own methods (instead of looking up to God)
· Running away
Jesus’s responses in the face of trials
- Keep praying again and again
· See the situation from God’s perspectives
· Obedience: Seek God’s will
So what do we learn about prayer?
· It’s OK to feel weak and unable
· It’s OK to keep praying the same thing
· The key is to align your will with God’s will
After learning about the story, how will your prayers be
different when you face trials?
