03/22/2019
How do you pray in the time of great sorrow, or imminent death? If you, or a loved one, is facing near certain demise how do you go before God in prayer? Most often when situations are dire, and danger is near, our emotions cause us to reach a point of near panic, but as men and women of Faith is that how we should enter into the presence of God in prayer?
“And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, "My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will."”
Matthew 26:39 ESV
Jesus provides us with an example of how we should approach God in times of great distress, suffering, or sorrow. He knew the time was near for Him to begin to suffer and live out the final moments of His life, and yet there was no panic, or anxiousness about Him... He withdrew to a quiet place to pray, and then humbled Himself before God. He was able to do this because He knew that God’s will for Him was about to be done... His life was not out of control.
“And he withdrew from them about a stone's throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, "Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done."”
Luke 22:41-42 ESV
Think about the times in your life when have panicked. We panic most when we are startled and don’t know what is about to happen... we shout, quickly lash out, run away, our adrenaline surges, and for the most part we are out of control until we come to the point where we understand that we are safe. Yet in the whole of the Bible we never read of a time when Jesus panicked. So ask yourself; if Jesus was a man, and prone to human emotion, how could He not be overcome by fear when faced with death?
“For I tell you that this Scripture must be fulfilled in me: 'And he was numbered with the Mtransgressors.' For what is written about me has its fulfillment."”
Luke 22:37 ESV
Jesus was not startled or shocked by the events that occurred to Him because He already knew them to be the will of God, and He knew that God would not ask of Him anything that He could not endure. He knew scripture, and within it the prophecy regarding Himself, but beyond that He prayed for God’s will to be revealed to Him each day. We too should seek the will of God, and then, even in the most unwanted of occurrences we will resolve ourselves to it, and find peace.
“yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."”
James 4:14-15 ESV
So just as Jesus the man didn’t want to die, and His natural inclination as a man was to panic and run from it, His absolute faith and trust in God’s love overcame His fear and resistance. It was this confidence in the good and perfect will of God, that allowed Him to find calm, and peace, as He did that will of the Father... not without question, but once it was understood to be final He did it without wavering. The prophesy was then fulfilled, as was the will of God Almighty for Him.
“And with him they crucify two thieves; the one on his right hand, and the other on his left. And the scripture was fulfilled, which saith, And he was numbered with the transgressors.”
Mark 15:27-28 KJV
Are we trusting enough in God to do His will for us... even in the hard times, even unto death? When we are faced with a bad diagnosis at the hospital, and know the end is near, are we able to pray and reach that moment in our own Gethsemane where we too can say “thy will, not mine, be done” and find peace in it? Do we truly believe that the will of God is good, and become resolved in it to the point of fearless acceptance?
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Ephesians 5:15-17 ESV
Hardship, suffering, mourning, heartbreak, and even death; these are the moments in our lives as men and women where we turn to God for relief, but they are also the times when we should seek out His will most fervently, question it if need be, and then find peace, and resolve, in moving forward in what we know is His perfect will.
“Now may the God of peace who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do his will, working in us that which is pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Hebrews 13:20-21 ESV
Sometimes it isn’t apparent to us that what we are going through is actually good, and in those times we will be inclined to struggle against God, but the question should never be why, but rather if it is His will, and how we should proceed, because our understanding is so limited, and our vision too nearsighted.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
Isaiah 55:8-9 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for your perfect nature. Thank you for your perfect love, and perfect will for us. Help us Holy Father to follow in your will for us always, and to find peace and rest in it; even in the darkest of hours. Don’t let our faith be shaken by the world as it tries to convince us that your plan is not good, and that your will will cause us harm. We know that despite the times of pain in our lives, and the suffering that surrounds us, that all things will work together for good because of our trust and faith in you. Teach us Merciful Father that there is a heaven as well as an earth, and that you did not tell us that our ultimate good would occur in this world. Strengthen our faith, and our trust in you Lord so that in those times when we face the beginning of tribulation in this world, that we will persevere, and find, by our trust in your will, its conclusion... even if that conclusion doesn’t come until we stand before you in your kingdom. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you my God whose will for us is perfect, and through whom even our pain and suffering finds perfection and goodness. Praised be your name Gracious Father, for great is your grace, and forgiveness forevermore.
Rich Forbes