"THE IMPORTANTANCE OF PRAYER"

Parallel Gospel Accounts -

Matthew 26:36-46 - Make a couple of observations

Mark 14:32-42 - Make a couple of observations

Luke 22:40-46 - Make a couple of observations

Proposition - This morning we are going to learn 1) Jesus’ agony, 2) Jesus’ plead, and 3) Jesus’ disappointment.

Interrogative question - What is the pattern of prayer in your life?

Take note of the imperative commands in this text -

Vs. 36 - “sit”

Vs. 38 - “Remain” and “keep watch”

Vs. 39 - “pass”

Vs. 41 - “Watching” and “praying”

Vs. 42 - “done”

Vs. 45 - “Sleeping” “Resting” and “Behold”

Vs. 46 - “Get up” and “Behold”

1. Jesus’ Agony - vs. 36-38

Matthew 26:36–38 NASB95

36 Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to His disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and distressed. 38 Then He said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, to the point of death; remain here and keep watch with Me.”

What is Jesus instruction?

Who did Jesus take with him? Why do you think he only took these ones?

Who are the two sons of Zebedee?

Why might He (Jesus) be grieved and distressed?

What instruction did he give them?

2. Jesus’ Plead - vs. 39

Matthew 26:39 NASB95

39 And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

Why did Jesus go beyond the disciples?

What was Jesus doing?

What do we learn from what Jesus does here?

3. Jesus’ Disappointment - vs. 40-41

Matthew 26:40–41 NASB95

40 And He came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “So, you men could not keep watch with Me for one hour? 41 “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

How did Jesus find the disciples when He came back?

What are the imperative commands?

What instruction does Jesus give them?

How might this instruction apply to us today?

4. Jesus’ 2nd Plead - vs. 42

Matthew 26:42 NASB95

42 He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.”

What might have been going through Jesus head at this point?

What do we learn from Jesus in this verse?

5. Jesus’ 2nd Disappointment - vs. 43-45

Matthew 26:43–45 NASB95

43 Again He came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. 44 And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more. 45 Then He came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Behold, the hour is at hand and the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners.

What happens in these verses?

What are the commands in these verses?

What do you learn from these verses?

SO WHAT??

What is the pattern of prayer in your life?