- The Culture of Prayer.
Mark 14:32, And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray.
Our Lord’s ministry began after forty days of fasting and prayer, and the apostles were ordained only after Jesus spent the whole night in prayer on a mountain. The disciples were deeply impressed with Jesus’ prayer life and asked Him, “Lord teach us to pray!”
The betrayer Judas knew where to lead the Roman soldiers the night of Jesus’ capture, for Jesus was in His prayer spot, the Garden of Prayer.
- The Cause of Prayer
Mark 14:36, And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what thou wilt.
The agony in the garden wasn’t the agony of a martyr but the agony of our substitute for sin. Jesus would taste the cup of God’s wrath for us. Christ’s heavy heart and agony over what he was going to suffer drove Him into the arms of His Loving Heavenly Father.
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
Jesus won the victory over Himself in prayer and was strengthened by an angel from heaven (Luke 22:44), becoming obedient to the death on the cross (Phil. 2). We as well can win the victory over any trial and fulfill the Father’s will by prayer.
- The Charge of Prayer
Mark 14:34 …tarry ye here, and watch.
Mark 14:37-38, And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.
Peter, James, and John were commanded by the Lord to keep “watch” (guard; vigilance for keeping or protecting against danger). The disciples were all under spiritual attack and desperately needed to pray. It was “the hour and the power of darkness” (Luke 22:43). Satan was trying to “sift Simon (Peter) like wheat,” (Luke 22:31) and all the disciples would scatter from Jesus like sheep without a shepherd (Mark 14:27).
Never miss a prompt to pray. Jesus, by His Spirit, often will prompt prayer. Intently listen to the Spirit and watch!