“ONE AND GOD MAKE A MAJORITY”
“IF THERE IS NO STRUGGLE, THERE IS NO PROGRESS”
FREDERICK DOUGLASS 1818 – 1895
PRAYER IN THE GARDEN
Garden Of Gethsemane: The place where olive oil is pressed; A place or occasion of great mental or spiritual suffering; Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane.
“And He went a little further, and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: Nevertheless not as I will, but as Thou wilt.”
“He went away again the second time and prayed, saying, O My Father, If this cup may not pass away from Me, except I drink it, Thy will be done.” Matthew 26: 39, 42
Jesus prayed the same prayer a third time.
Jesus confided in His closest disciples, Peter, James, and John. “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” 26:38. Jesus was committed to fulfilling God’s plan of redemption, yet, the burden of its reality weighed heavily on Him. The hour is at hand, and events are falling into place to put God’s plan into motion. In other words, it’s becoming real.
Finding the disciples asleep again, Jesus then said to Peter, “…What, could ye not watch with Me one hour?” (26:40). His distress was so great that He sweat drops of blood as He prayed. {Lk. 22:44) Knowing the cross lay ahead, the grief of the impending separation from His Father’s presence drove Jesus to His knees. (Matt. 27:46) The weight of the sins of the world was pressing down on Him.
Just when Jesus needed His friends to be there with Him, pray with Him… He found His closest companions sleeping. Familiar… God waits for us to recognize and appreciate His daily blessings that we tend to take for granted. God waits for us when we are preoccupied with our own other interests. God waits for us and finds us sleeping instead of praying. Prayer is the antidote for human weakness. (Matt.26:41)
“Prayer at Gethsemane”
Perhaps, you haven’t experienced the need for a Gethsemane prayer yet. Keep living… Trials and tribulations, pressure, and suffering are part of the human experience. Christians do not escape. Resurrection day did not happen without the prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. The prayer when God said, No… Thank you, God!
Dear God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost. Hallowed Be Thy Name!
Makers of Heaven and Earth and everything in it… “The Earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.”
Thank You! For all the No’s in our lives… Jesus warned us that in this world, there will be trials and tribulations, “But, be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” “Peace I leave with you, My Peace…” Not the world’s peace, “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding.”
How, Lord, how, we ask in prayer? Your Word directs us to, Cast all our cares and concerns, our worries and anxieties, on You. Yes!!! “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God.” Amen! Then tomorrow comes and the world hates us. The adversary, the devil, is roaming around; it’s Monday, Lord, the day is at hand.
In the name of Jesus, I pray for all our Mondays. Help us all to be ready to withstand in the days ahead as we face the powers and the rulers of the darkness of this world. Poverty, hunger, homelessness, danger, illness, persecution, war, and rumors of war, Gethsemane! Help us, Lord, when we come to face our “Garden of Decision,” like Jesus. I pray now, help us, guide us, and empower us Holy Spirit, to do the will of God. Strengthen us, Jesus, through Whom we can do all things, That all things done in Your Name, glorify God our Father, as each of us face our “Garden of Decision.” Nevertheless … Thy Perfect Will Be Done. Amen
(P.S. 661 Words – Scriptures used in the prayer: Ps 24:1, Jn.16:33, Jn.14:27, Ph.4:7, Ph.4:6, Ep.6:12, 1Pe.5:7, Ph.4:13).