Distressful Praying…Alone

Meditate. Consider how Jesus felt as He prayed…alone.

They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, "Sit here while I go and pray." He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he became deeply troubled and distressed. He told them, "My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. Mark 14:32-35

Garden of Gethsemane
Jerusalem

Jesus and His disciples had just had a big Passover meal…Jesus’ Last Supper. Then they went out to the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus just needed to pray…alone. He asked His closest friends to keep watch. I think He wanted them to stay awake and pray for Him…but not with Him. He wanted to be alone in prayer with His Heavenly Father. He was deeply upset. In agony. He knew what was going to happen to Him. Does anyone look forward to a beating…a scourging? Does anyone want to be abandoned by His friends or forsaken by His Father? Does anyone want to die on a cross? Jesus wanted that event go by…and not be part of His life…but He was obedient to His Father. Although He was sinless, He faced punishment for the sin of mankind…everyone since Adam and Eve. Was that fair? Nope. But Jesus was obedient to His Father’s plan to save mankind…to bring them back into His favor. Sacrifice the pure lamb. Sacrifice Jesus.

 So Jesus knew what lay ahead for Him and although it was stressful…distressing…He prayed…alone and accepted His Father’s will. Could you do that? We don’t have to. Jesus did it all…for all of us.

 Prayer ~ Jesus, You are amazing! Thank you for Your obedience—for Your willingness to sacrifice Your life for me…for each person in the world…for all of time. I pray that more people today will accept what You did for them. That they will repent in quiet prayer to our Heavenly Father.

Verse of Salvation ~ But if you warn them to repent and they don't repent, they will die in their sins, but you will have saved yourself. - Ezekiel 33:9

© 2020 Text, photos and paintings  by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.

Unless otherwise indicated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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