WE SHOULD WE PRAY?
KEY POINTS
- God hears our prayers, they are powerful and effective.
- Prayer prepares us for what is coming, no matter what it is.
Luke 22:39-46 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
This passage serves an important foundational purpose for everything that comes after, because it reminds us that Jesus prayed. In just this short passage, the word "pray" or "prayer" is found 5 different times! Think about that. In one of the darkest moment of his life, Jesus chose to spend his final hours in prayer. He also encouraged his disciples to be in prayer as well. Jesus could have done anything in these final moments of his life. He could have worshipped, or told stories, or gave everyone gifts, or preached a sermon, or healed people, yet he didn't do any of those things. He chose prayer. Think about that in your own life. If you had only a short time left to live, what would you do? Whatever it would be, the reason you did it was because you knew it was important. You wouldn't fill your final hours doing something that was a waste of time. In the same way, Jesus prayed because he knew it was important and valuable, not only for himself, but for everyone else. In Jesus' eyes, prayer was not a waste of time, or a placebo, or a time-killer. Prayer was the most important thing he could do in that crucial moment.
Jesus serves as a model and example of prayer. He always practiced what he taught. Jesus knew the immense and often untapped power of prayer, both for altering situations, but also for changing and realigning our heart to the will of the Father. Jesus demonstrated to his disciples and billions of bible readers in this passage, that despite the terrible circumstances of what he knew was coming, Jesus declared he would be obedient and remain in the will of God. The passage tells us that as a result of his prayers, angels came and Jesus was strengthened. It's important to understand that Jesus' prayers in the garden were not fruitless and did not go unheard or unanswered. God listened when Jesus spoke and Jesus listened when God spoke. This communication with the Father carried great power with it. Prayer prepared Jesus for what was ahead. The same is true for you and I. Prayer prepares us for what is coming, no matter what it is. Jesus knew there would be difficult days ahead, not only in the crucifixion, but in the decades and centuries that followed for the early church. His followers would be tested, intimidated, arrested, tortured, and even murdered by the thousands, all for the name of Jesus. The only way that they were going to walk with faith through the things that lie ahead of them was through a strong spiritual connection with their Father in heaven who is the source of peace, comfort, joy and hope. That spiritual connection would be made, and kept strong, through prayer. The same can be true for you as well.
This passage serves an important foundational purpose for everything that comes after, because it reminds us that Jesus prayed. In just this short passage, the word "pray" or "prayer" is found 5 different times! Think about that. In one of the darkest moment of his life, Jesus chose to spend his final hours in prayer. He also encouraged his disciples to be in prayer as well. Jesus could have done anything in these final moments of his life. He could have worshipped, or told stories, or gave everyone gifts, or preached a sermon, or healed people, yet he didn't do any of those things. He chose prayer. Think about that in your own life. If you had only a short time left to live, what would you do? Whatever it would be, the reason you did it was because you knew it was important. You wouldn't fill your final hours doing something that was a waste of time. In the same way, Jesus prayed because he knew it was important and valuable, not only for himself, but for everyone else. In Jesus' eyes, prayer was not a waste of time, or a placebo, or a time-killer. Prayer was the most important thing he could do in that crucial moment.
Jesus serves as a model and example of prayer. He always practiced what he taught. Jesus knew the immense and often untapped power of prayer, both for altering situations, but also for changing and realigning our heart to the will of the Father. Jesus demonstrated to his disciples and billions of bible readers in this passage, that despite the terrible circumstances of what he knew was coming, Jesus declared he would be obedient and remain in the will of God. The passage tells us that as a result of his prayers, angels came and Jesus was strengthened. It's important to understand that Jesus' prayers in the garden were not fruitless and did not go unheard or unanswered. God listened when Jesus spoke and Jesus listened when God spoke. This communication with the Father carried great power with it. Prayer prepared Jesus for what was ahead. The same is true for you and I. Prayer prepares us for what is coming, no matter what it is. Jesus knew there would be difficult days ahead, not only in the crucifixion, but in the decades and centuries that followed for the early church. His followers would be tested, intimidated, arrested, tortured, and even murdered by the thousands, all for the name of Jesus. The only way that they were going to walk with faith through the things that lie ahead of them was through a strong spiritual connection with their Father in heaven who is the source of peace, comfort, joy and hope. That spiritual connection would be made, and kept strong, through prayer. The same can be true for you as well.
BIBLICAL REFERENCES
Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed...
Luke 22:39
Luke 22:39
TRUE NORTH COLLEGE COURSE
Christian Spirituality | Practical Theology 256
A study of what it means to be spiritual and how to grow spiritually. Special attention is given to the need to understand the nature of the gospel and how to live it out by focusing on repentance and the life of the cross. Special emphasis is put on fasting as an example of a spiritual discipline that highlights “vessel theology.”