“Keep watch and pray.”
How does prayer prepare us for what lies ahead?
There are times when we know what is coming—the impending surgery, divorce, or move. But even in our knowing, there are hundreds of unknowns. Will the surgery be successful? What will my life look like after the divorce? Will we be able to find a home and make new friends?
Jesus knew what was coming. He knew He had shared the last Passover meal with the disciples, and He knew every gory detail of what was about to unfold. With the foreknowledge of the horrors that awaited Him, Jesus’ go-to was prayer.
Then Jesus went with them to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go over there to pray.” He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he became anguished 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 bowed with his face to the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!”
Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.
Then he came to the disciples and said, “Go ahead and sleep. Have your rest. But look—the time has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Up, let’s be going. Look, my betrayer is here!” (Matthew 26:36-46, NLT)
What can we learn about praying and never giving up from Jesus’ final moments of praying in the Garden of Gethsemane?
What Matters In Being Prepared
- Where we pray can matter. Luke’s account tells us that they “went as usual” to the Mount of Olives to pray (Luke 22:39). Jesus not only prayed in the place where He knew His most significant suffering would begin, but He prayed there often. While the power of our prayers is not dependent on a location, Jesus’ choice was intentional. Consider how where you pray could help prepare you for what is about to come.
- Who we pray with can matter. Jesus took all His disciples but pulled Peter, James, and John off to the side to witness and be closer to Him while He prayed. Inviting others to join us in praying for what lies ahead can play an essential role in our not giving up, because, in addition to God never abandoning us, we have a community of believers who are also alongside us. We are not alone.
- How honest we are can matter. Jesus told Peter, James, and John that His soul was “crushed with grief to the point of death” (Matthew 26: 37). Jesus professed his most genuine feelings with His disciples and God. Jesus asked if there was any way to escape or prevent what was about to happen. Our honesty along the way will impact our ability to walk through the unknown and hard of what lies ahead.
- Who we pray to matters most. Jesus prayed to His heavenly Father. He knew His source of power came from God, and acknowledged God the Father first before pouring His heart out to Him.
- How surrendered we are will matter. Jesus wanted to avoid the cup of suffering, if possible. Jesus agonized and was overwhelmed by the weight of what was to come, but He surrendered to the will of the Father. He was honest and humble, willing to suffer, and move forward regardless of the dread He was experiencing. Our willingness to be honest about our desires, yet place them on the altar as a sacrifice of surrender to God’s will, is an attitude that will prepare us for whatever is to come.
- How persistent we are will matter. Jesus was persistent on many levels. He prayed all the time and often on the Mount of Olives in light of future events that would occur in that place. Jesus did not change his prayers. He persistently asked for the same thing, but His request also matched His continued willingness to do God’s will. Jesus encouraged Peter, in particular, to be persistent, “Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation (Matthew 26:41). Our persistence with our prayers can prepare us to handle whatever our unknown may be, and manage the upcoming circumstances in ways we could not manage on our own.
Prayers do prepare us.
When we are continually honest and profess the truth, our prayers help keep our hearts in good places. Praying keeps us focused on our source of power and who God is. Our persistence in our prayers keeps us in the game and strengthens us to endure the journey.
I pray that prayer becomes your number-one go-to in preparing for the unknown. May you experience God’s power, strengthening you and empowering you to take the next step. May your heart always be willing to let go and yield to God’s will. As you surrender, may the Spirit flood your soul with His peace that passes all comprehension. In Jesus’ name, so be it.
Meditate: God is able. I surrender.
Reflect: Have you ever wondered what would have happened if Peter had stayed awake and prayed for God to help him resist any future temptation? How can you incorporate prayer more to help you prepare for your unknown? Is there any area that you need to surrender? Ask God to give you wisdom, and then ask Him – Is there anything you want me to know?
Deeper: Mark 14:32-42; Luke 22: 39-46; Colossians 4:2-6
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Bible References: NLT – New Living Translation)
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