We often pray most honestly and faithfully when we are facing difficulties of some kind. The challenge is to pray like this in our daily lives.
Focus Scripture – Luke 22:39-46HIDESHOW
29 And I confer on you a kingdom, just as my Father conferred one on me, 30 so that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom and sit on thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"
"Nothing," they answered.
36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' [a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
38 The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords."
"That is enough," he replied.
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [b]
45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."
33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."
34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me."
35 Then Jesus asked them, "When I sent you without purse, bag or sandals, did you lack anything?"
"Nothing," they answered.
36 He said to them, "But now if you have a purse, take it, and also a bag; and if you don't have a sword, sell your cloak and buy one. 37 It is written: 'And he was numbered with the transgressors' [a]; and I tell you that this must be fulfilled in me. Yes, what is written about me is reaching its fulfillment."
38 The disciples said, "See, Lord, here are two swords."
"That is enough," he replied.
Jesus Prays on the Mount of Olives
39 Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, "Pray that you will not fall into temptation." 41 He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. [b]
45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 "Why are you sleeping?" he asked them. "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation."
Extended SummaryHIDESHOW
Scott Boren pointed us to the example of Jesus praying in Luke 22:39-46. It’s hard to imagine a more intense expression of prayer. It’s also hard to imagine a more depressing response by the disciples. Scott reflected on the many messages and teachings he’s heard about prayer. So often the prayer instruction amounts to a new list of do’s and don’ts. This seems so distant from those moments of heartfelt sincerity so many of us feel during difficult times when we turn to God.
There are so many patterns in our lives that can become more routine than real. We pray at certain times in church, before meals, perhaps at the beginning of a meeting with other Christians, etc. These are all good things, but it can become routine and will happen whether our hearts are in it or not. Scott pointed out that in the Luke 22 passage, Jesus is not at the temple, it’s not a particular religious time for prayer, he’s not with particularly religious people and the form and content of his prayer was very authentic—even gut wrenching.
The good news is that even when we struggle with prayer ourselves, Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 4:14-15) who prays for us. And the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27). So when we pray, it may help us to remember that we are not beginning the prayer for us at this moment, but we are actually just joining the prayer that is going on for us within the Trinity! This is a profound mystery well worth reflecting on. Our prayer is really an opportunity for us to recognize what God is already doing, how God is working in the world and in our lives, and join in.
There are so many patterns in our lives that can become more routine than real. We pray at certain times in church, before meals, perhaps at the beginning of a meeting with other Christians, etc. These are all good things, but it can become routine and will happen whether our hearts are in it or not. Scott pointed out that in the Luke 22 passage, Jesus is not at the temple, it’s not a particular religious time for prayer, he’s not with particularly religious people and the form and content of his prayer was very authentic—even gut wrenching.
The good news is that even when we struggle with prayer ourselves, Jesus is our High Priest (Heb. 4:14-15) who prays for us. And the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26-27). So when we pray, it may help us to remember that we are not beginning the prayer for us at this moment, but we are actually just joining the prayer that is going on for us within the Trinity! This is a profound mystery well worth reflecting on. Our prayer is really an opportunity for us to recognize what God is already doing, how God is working in the world and in our lives, and join in.
Practical Applications (homework)HIDESHOW
One of the challenges that many of us have when it comes to prayer is that we don’t realize how our day-to-day lives connect with God and his Kingdom. Prayer just seems like a religious activity that we do at church, maybe before meals and often when we really feel like we need help from God. We get caught up in the flow of our normal routine, and it’s easy to lose sight of God’s presence and influence in our lives. One way to begin to train yourself to stay aware of God in your life is to review your day regularly. Try this for your homework this week:
- Talk with someone you’re close to (spouse, friend, roommate, etc.) and set a schedule for the next week when you can check in with each other and go through this exercise together. Going through it daily would be ideal, but 2-3 times during the week is also really helpful. You don’t necessarily need to meet in person, either; you can do this over the phone if that makes scheduling easier.
- Spend about 4-5 minutes reflecting on the last day or two and think of experiences that show you how much God cares for you. These could be examples of exceptional needs that were met, or day-to-day needs that you usually handle without much thought – but that God plays a part in. Write these thoughts down as you’re reflecting, and then share them with each other.
- Now, spend another 4-5 minutes thinking about how God helped you expand his Kingdom in some way over the last day or two. Most of these will likely be relatively small examples of living in Christlike ways, like keeping your temper under control at work or avoiding the temptation to spend more money than you have budgeted this month. Again, take notes and share these with each other.
- Intentionally reviewing your day-to-day experiences will make you more aware of God’s presence in your life, and make it feel more natural to talk to him regularly!
Reflection QuestionsHIDESHOW
- Read each of the supporting texts. What stood out to you most from this message and the supporting texts?
- Describe an awkward, perhaps “overly religious” prayer that you witnessed (or perhaps offered yourself!). Why do you suppose that prayer took place in the first place? What expectations were established to prompt it?
- Read through the Hebrews and Romans texts for this message. How does it affect your way of thinking about prayer to know that God is so mindful of you and your situation?
- How does knowing that God is so mindful of you affect your desire to pray? Discuss how this truth can infuse more life into patterns of prayer that you may already have in addition to inspiring spontaneous prayer.