Never before have I found this truth as gripping as I did today after Pastor's sermon. In LUKE 22:39-46, we see Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane. I've heard this story recounted endlessly but not until this morning did I grasp the value of this event in my own life.
This was before the crucifixion...Jesus was getting anxious... He then asks God if this cup could be taken away from Him but still "Thy will be done." In my prayers during moments of distress, how many times have I ended at just take this away from me? This upcomning exam is too mind numbing...this heart ache is unbearable...this transition is so painful... How many times in these seemingly trivial situations, compared to Christ's crucifixion, did I tell the Lord "enough...it's too hard...I'd rather do it MY WAY..."
Or the better question is, how many times did I just scrap prayer completely and relied on my own strength? I pleaded guilty as I heard and contemplated on Jesus' prayer. He got with God. Amidst His busy schedule, He set quiet time aside to commune with the Father. He asked for grace to see Him through. Wow! If Christ asked for God's aid, shouldn't we?
Undeniably, my prayer time is usually spent watching tv...chatting with my boyfriend...reading a book...tinkering with my pc..any other possible distraction as an excuse. But the irony of it all is I still expect to triumph over my travails and get frustrated when I am faced with the inevitable defeat.
Christ demonstrated Passion with a PATTERN. He was consistent. He never faltered with His commitment to the Father. That is why as we see in this scene at Gethsemane, after He prayed, He had a divine intervention and He was at peace once again. God gave Him the comfort He sought.
The problem with us is we don't seek enough so we don't receive enough. We don't pray enough. Prayer is powerful. It elevates us to touch God's face. It brings us closer to God's promise of showing us great and mighty things far beyond what we know or can even imagine.
In verse 45 of this passage, it says "Jesus ROSE UP from prayer..." As if declaring He stood taller...He was risen even at that point because He asked for the Lord's portion and He received it.
I pray that whoever gets to read this will be renewed in the spirit of prayer. I pray that whoever is reached by this message will begin to release that same power to other people within their circles and their circles and their circles...I pray that prayer will be everyone's priority.
Prayer is a conversation so intimate it raises us up to experience the divine.
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