06/06/2022
In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus asked His disciples to watch and pray with Him, but they failed Him, and fell asleep. Do we fall down in our prayers as well? The example we have in Christ is to pray in the morning before the sun rises, to do so all during the day, and to end our days by praying into the night. Do we follow his example? Do we even come close? Prayer has purpose, in the Garden that night Jesus told the disciples that their prayers would keep them from temptation, but it does much more than this as we pray for forgiveness, joy, goodness, thanksgiving, strength, protection, and every life and spiritual thing. Prayer is a lifeline cast from our needy soul into Heaven itself, and it is the song that fills the silence of our lives. Do we pray as we should, or are we found sleeping?
“And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.””
Matthew 26:40-41 ESV
Haven’t we all found ourselves to have cut our prayers short, or missed praying them altogether as we have experienced exhaustion, or been involved in some activity that has distracted us? When we have done this hasn’t our soul convicted us in our shortcoming? Did our spirit ache like a hungry stomach?
“Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you, and I will instruct you in the good and the right way.”
1 Samuel 12:23 ESV
The Bible is filled with lamenting, for example, over half of the Psalms are laments, and the prayer of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane was too. We lament in our lives and prayers today, and when we fall short in prayer, our spirit leads us into further lamentation. To lament is not a loss of faith, but is an act of faith, and the Holy Spirit leads us as we return via our lament, and conviction, to resume our prayers.
“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.”
Romans 8:26-27 ESV
My father passed away several years ago, and I miss him. I miss seeing him, but more than that I miss talking with him. I cherish the days when we would sit in a fishing boat from dawn to dusk, and I would tell him about my life, and he would impart a lifetime of wisdom to me. I even cherish the short conversations we had on the telephone; you see, he didn’t like to talk on the phone, so when I called his home, and he answered the phone, the conversation went like this; he would say “How are you doing?” Then I would respond “Good.”, and he would say “How are Ann and the kids?” And again I would respond “Good.” Then he would end our conversation by saying “Hold on, and I will get your Mom.” When I spoke with my earthly father it was a lot like our prayer lives, it is good to have the long days and nights of deep and heartfelt prayer, but there is something about those short prayers during the day when we exchange nothing more than the routine information, and feel comforted to have simply heard one another’s voice. I told my story to say this… “Don’t put off prayer because you don’t think you have enough time to pray!” Peter prayed the shortest prayer in the Bible when he was walking on the water and began to sink; Listen to his prayer, and then let’s think about similar prayers we have prayed.
“But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.””
Matthew 14:30 ESV
By neglecting prayer, or putting it off until we have more time, is like falling asleep on Gethsemane, and if we get in the habit of doing so then eventually we won’t bother to attempt the conversation at all, not even to exchange those few short words, and hear God’s voice. Let’s look at our prayer life today, and ask ourselves if we have fallen silent, and if we are sleeping when we should be talking with our Father, or interceding for others in prayer?
“praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end, keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints,”
Ephesians 6:18 ESV
Prayer:
Father, thank you for the many lessons in prayer that we find in your Word, but thank you especially for the prayers of your Son Jesus who taught us to pray what we now refer to as The Lord’s Prayer, and how to reach out to you in both day and night; praying short prayers of immediate faith, and fervent prayers of sweat and blood. Hear this our prayer right now Lord, and let us feel your presence. Let our souls hear your voice as we lift up our voices to you. Help us by your Holy Spirit to pray even if we have no words. Let our spiritual Moans and groaning, speak the truth of our soul’s condition to you. Holy, Holy, Holy, are you our God who hears this prayer, and every prayer we pray. Praised be your name as we prostrate ourselves before you and seek your mercy and counsel. Let even the slightest brush of our hand against the cloak of Jesus be our spirit’s prayer, and the simple calling out of His name be our prayer for help. Merciful are you who has promised to answer the prayers we pray within your will, and by praying them in the name of Jesus. Powerful are you, and mighty is your right hand. Strong is prayer that travels faster than lightening, and moves mountains with the faith it contains. True is your Word, and comforting is your voice that we hear as we pray. Pour your grace over us Father, and wash us in the blood of Jesus… that same blood that stained the ground at Gethsemane. Let His blood of lament cleanse us of our sin, and return us by grace to innocence, and righteousness… free us from sin, and make us worthy, by the power of His resurrection, for eternal life with you. Hear this our prayer, and find the scent of our salvation in every prayer we offer up. In this way pronounce us worthy to sit before your throne, worshipping you for all eternity.
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:4-7 ESV
Rich Forbes