Praying for StrengthMatthew 26:36-46

Let’s think about our prayersWhat are they about?

Help me!Not me!

Why me?I needI want

Today’s scripture tells us to pray differently

Lord, give me strength to endure what is ahead

Preparations for the PassoverJudas agrees to betray

Lord’s SupperPeter’s denial predicted

36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death.

Notice how we begin…He was full of emotion

Jesus knew what was about to happen

38 …Stay here and keep watch with me.”

“Keep watch” with meStay alert

Do what I am doingBe concerned with what pains me

Pray with mePray for me

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

We assume Jesus is sayingI don’t like this plan

Change this planLet’s go to an “B”

But that is not what he is saying

We assume that the cup is his death, but it is really all the feelings

associated with itJesus knows there is no other way to

atone for us

What is he asking for then?The cup is the fear of the known

Remove the fear and anxietyHelp me endure the pain that is comingSorrowful, troubled and overwhelmed

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter.

WatchBe concerned for me

Pray for me

41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”

Watch and pray in order that…You do not fall into temptationThe temptation to try run away

“The Spirit is able”The spirit knows what is right

“The body is weak”The body feels that pain

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

“if this cannot pass away unless I drink it”… It implies that Jesus knew it was God’s will that He go to the cross, but He knew He could express His concern to the Father. It is good to know that God will not reject us because of our fears and confusion, but will work with us in love and faith as He worked with Jesus. We cannot even pray ourselves out of the will of God.Utley, R. J. D. (2000). Vol. Volume 9: The First Christian Primer: Matthew. Study Guide Commentary Series (219). Marshall, Texas: Bible Lessons International.

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

This time he does not even bother to wake them up

He is aware that he is all aloneHis disciples do not understand

the gravity if this nightThey have not been watching or

praying

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting?

This time he wakes them…Jesus is not surprised by their

inability to understand the importance of the moment

45 …Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Notice how he started at the gardenSorrowful, troubled, overwhelmed

Frustrated with his disciplesNow…

He is determinedUnflinching

Ready

45 …Look, the hour is near, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise, let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

In prayer we are often we are asking… God change something

God change usWe need to ask…

God give us strength to endure the coming storm

God loves usAnswers prayer

But first of all, we have to praySecondly, we have to accept his willThird, often what we receive is the

power to endure

PrayGod wants to hear our voiceWe talk to the ones we love

God can handle our complaints, and our whining

What God will not change… He will give us the strength to endure