Luke 22
John Piper refers to Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane as "The Greatest Prayer in the World". This prayer serves as an excellent reminder that prayer works, as Jesus prayed for strength to be obedient in going to the cross. Verse 43 tells us that "[a]n angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him". Luke's account here and the other Gospel accounts of this prayer also tell us that: (1) we should pray with passion and fervor, and that we should demonstrate our complete dependence on Him for the needs and concerns we have (Luke 22:44), and that (2) we should be persistent in our prayer, demonstrating trust that God hears our cries and will respond (Jesus prayed three times see Matthew 26 and Mark 14).
On a similar note on prayer: Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer" is also highly instructive in terms of how we should approach prayer. I found this post particularly relevant as it discusses how Jesus' prayer in John 17 gives us a blueprint for prayer during the teen years - it ends with:
"When parents pray over an open Bible, the words of Scripture wrap themselves around the desires of our hearts and give us the words we don’t have. Jesus ends his prayer for his disciples by offering himself, totally set apart for the Father’s will. Perhaps this is what our teens need most: parents with a single-minded determination to follow him. We will not do so perfectly, but our own stumbling progress toward discipleship puts us on the same road as our teens — and what a joy it is to be traveling toward Christ together."
My Prayer: Lord Jesus You are an awesome God and I need You desperately - I cannot live without You - You sustain me. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of Your love and grace. I worry and I lash out at others - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouse to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
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. v41-44
John Piper refers to Jesus' prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane as "The Greatest Prayer in the World". This prayer serves as an excellent reminder that prayer works, as Jesus prayed for strength to be obedient in going to the cross. Verse 43 tells us that "[a]n angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him". Luke's account here and the other Gospel accounts of this prayer also tell us that: (1) we should pray with passion and fervor, and that we should demonstrate our complete dependence on Him for the needs and concerns we have (Luke 22:44), and that (2) we should be persistent in our prayer, demonstrating trust that God hears our cries and will respond (Jesus prayed three times see Matthew 26 and Mark 14).
On a similar note on prayer: Jesus' "High Priestly Prayer" is also highly instructive in terms of how we should approach prayer. I found this post particularly relevant as it discusses how Jesus' prayer in John 17 gives us a blueprint for prayer during the teen years - it ends with:
"When parents pray over an open Bible, the words of Scripture wrap themselves around the desires of our hearts and give us the words we don’t have. Jesus ends his prayer for his disciples by offering himself, totally set apart for the Father’s will. Perhaps this is what our teens need most: parents with a single-minded determination to follow him. We will not do so perfectly, but our own stumbling progress toward discipleship puts us on the same road as our teens — and what a joy it is to be traveling toward Christ together."
My Prayer: Lord Jesus You are an awesome God and I need You desperately - I cannot live without You - You sustain me. Thank You Jesus! I am not deserving of Your love and grace. I worry and I lash out at others - please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You love me. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouse to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
