Tuesday prayer: 4/14/25 Stay Awake. Pray.

welcome reading

Good evening, everyone. It’s really good to be gathered here together—to pause and to draw near to the Lord.

As we begin, let’s listen to the Word of God—a reminder that even when we don’t have the words to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us,

This is from Romans 8, verses 26 through 30:

Romans 8:26–30 ESV

26 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. 27 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. 28 And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29 For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

Hymn #746: What a Friend we Have in Jesus

let’s respond to these truths with a hymn that reminds us of the deep, faithful friendship we have in Jesus

Would you stand with me as we sing together: #746 “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,”

Stay Awake. Pray.

Luke 22:39–46

Have You Ever Felt Numb?

Not the kind from the dentist when the anesthetic kicks in. I mean something deeper. A spiritual numbness. Emotional heaviness. That fog where you know the right truths:

“I’m a son of God.”

“I’ve been justified.”

“I’m being sanctified.”

“I’m the bride of Christ...”

But even while those words are true—you feel nothing. All you want to do is lie down and sleep. You’re exhausted—physically, emotionally, spiritually.

The only prayer left in you is a whisper: “God, please let something spark again tomorrow.”

I See That in the Garden

That kind of numbness—I see it in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Luke 22:39–46. Let’s read it together:

Luke 22:39–46 ESV

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

Jesus – Honest and Human

What strikes me most—especially in verses 43–44—is how deeply human Jesus is. He knows the cross is coming. He knows betrayal is moments away. He knows innocent blood—His own—will be spilled.

So what does He do?

He prays.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me...”

No performance. No pretending. Just raw honesty. He’s in agony. He’s afraid. And still He says:

“Not my will, but yours be done.”

Strength in the Suffering

And what does the Father do? He doesn’t remove the suffering. He strengthens Him in the middle of it.

How often do I come to God assuming He’ll just take the pain away? But maybe what I need most… isn’t relief— Maybe it’s strength in the middle of it.

That’s where God meets us. Not always by taking the cup away, but by standing with us as we drink it.

So What If We Prayed Like Jesus?

What if we prayed like Jesus—especially in moments like this? What if we prayed:

Honest.

Weak.

Surrendered.

What if we came to the Father—numb, tired, or hurting, sinful and broken— and simply said:

“Your will be done.”

Let’s not fall asleep like the disciples. Let’s stay awake.

Why Did They Fall Asleep?

Why did Jesus’ closest friends fall asleep in one of the most vulnerable moments of His life?

Was it laziness? Disregard? No—Luke tells us: They were overwhelmed with sorrow.

They shut down. They couldn’t handle the pressure of the moment. While they escaped reality—Jesus pressed in.

They fell asleep. Jesus prayed.

A Mirror to Our Own Hearts

It’s easy to shake our heads at the disciples. But aren’t we like them?

When I’m overwhelmed, anxious, or ashamed— Where do I go?

Usually… Social media. A book. A show. Pleasure. Sleep.

Anything but the presence of the Father. The very place where God wants to strengthen me.

Jesus’ Voice Isn’t Shameful

When Jesus speaks to the disciples, His voice isn’t filled with shame. It’s not angry. It’s not condemning.

It’s the voice of a concerned, loving Father:

“Stay awake. Pray. You’re going to need this.”

He speaks gently to stir us— Not only to stay awake, but to wake up.

Wake Up and Return

But maybe tonight, for some of us, staying awake also means waking up. Waking up to the places where we’ve grown cold. Where we’ve wandered. Where we’ve chosen distraction or sin over presence with God.

Repentance isn’t about shame—it’s about return. It’s the grace-filled invitation to come back to the Father. To lay down our sins— and receive life only He can give.

Jesus Didn’t Just Stay Awake

Jesus didn’t just stay awake in the garden— He walked the road to the cross to carry our sin. And He rose again, not so we’d stay stuck in numbness, and sin but so we’d be raised with Him—alive, awake, forgiven.

Even when we don’t know what to pray, the Spirit intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words (Romans 8).

So maybe tonight part of our praying needs to be confessing our sins Not hiding. Not justifying. Just honest return.

Because the Father is not waiting with a lecture— He’s waiting with open arms.

The Call Tonight

That same voice is calling us tonight. Calling us to pray—so we don’t fall into:

Despair

Faithlessness

Numbness

sin

Even when we’re tired. Even when we feel nothing. Jesus is calling:

“Be with the Father.”

He desires to strengthen His children for what’s ahead.

To Intercede...

To intercede for:

Those who don’t pray

Those who can’t

The sick

The numb

The despairing

To intercede for our town— that the gospel would go out and bring the dead to life.

To intercede for our church— that we would truly be a lighthouse in the dark.

To intercede for our youth—

that they would become unashamed witness of christ

Not Obligation—But Invitation

And hear this: Jesus is not calling us out of shame or obligation.

He’s calling us into an invitation— To walk beside Him. To witness how He brings the dead to life. How He gathers people to Himself.

Let’s not miss it.

Let’s pray.

prayer

Father, We come to You now—just as we are. Some of us are tired. Some are numb. Some are carrying silent burdens. But You are not far from any one of us. You are near to the brokenhearted, and You delight to hear the honest cries of Your children.

So tonight, we don’t want to perform. We don’t want to pretend. We simply want to come—to be with You. To speak to You and to listen for Your voice.

Would You lead us now? Help us to pray like Jesus—honestly, humbly, surrendered. Strengthen us in our weakness. Guide us by Your Spirit. Bring to mind the names, places, and situations You are calling us to lift before You.

This is Your time, Lord. Do what only You can do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

closing prayer

Father, We thank You for this time together— for the opportunity to pause in Your presence, to hear Your Word, and to bring our hearts to You. Thank You for the reminder that You are near, even when we feel distant or numb.

We ask that You continue to strengthen us, not by removing our struggles, but by walking with us through them. Help us to stay awake, to stay present, and to be faithful in prayer.

May the truths we’ve heard tonight take root in our hearts, and may we carry them with us into the days ahead. As we go, may Your peace guard our hearts and minds, and may Your Spirit guide our steps.

We trust that You are at work in us, and we trust You with what lies ahead. Keep us close to You, Lord. In Jesus' name we pray, Amen.