Tough Prayers
Notes
Transcript
Intro
Do your prayers reflect Jesus’ prayers? Like he was the model last week of humility, he is the model of prayer. If you took inventory of your prayers, would they be prayers that Jesus would pray?
Need: I fear that our struggles with sin and obedience to Christ largely stem from our inability to pray or inactivity in prayer. Jesus taught us how to pray in the Sermon on the Mount and he largely displays how and when to pray often in the gospels, but we still wrestle with prayer in our daily lives. Prayer matters. Let’s look at the text.
Luke 22: 39-46
Main Idea: Pray as Jesus prayed
After he deals with their pride and prepares them for what’s next, he goes out to the Garden at the Mt. of Olives. Verse 39. Mt. of Olives is the place where Gethsemane is. “As was his custom” means this is his “go to” place. After he would teach in the temple, he would escape to the Garden to pray. Much symbolism of Jesus communing with God in a Garden, and it was in a Garden where man’s communion with God was separated. The disciples followed him. Not just following him to a place, but they are following him in prayer and many to their deaths. We will see how to pray.
Command #1: Pray to avoid temptation (39-40, 45-46)
Exp. Once they got to the place, Jesus instructs them on what to pray. Verse 40. Then, after he prays, he is going to tell them again. Verse 45-46. He instructed them to pray, instead they fell asleep.
Ill. Not too different from my OT class at Montreat. I can say that what I’m about to say is test-worthy material, only to look up and students in a coma. The disciples fell asleep because of their sorrow.
Arg. Jesus asks them, “Why are you sleeping?” This is not a time to be asleep at the wheel, but to engage God in prayer that you will be led away from temptation. What temptation might they face? Denying Christ? Sinful pursuits? Luke’s readers know what happens, so he emphasizes the need for such prayers.
Exp. Their sleeping is indicative for the need of such prayers. In my experience, people fall into temptation and sin because they are no longer alert. They have fallen asleep at the wheel. Luke 17:3, “Pay attention to yourselves!”
6 So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.
Christ - Who better to know how not to be led into temptation. Satan tried to tempt him, but he stood firm. He is the better Adam who would not fall prey to Satan’s schemes, and brings us restoration to the Father.
App. What do we do?
Pray to not be led into temptation. Often, our prayers are asking for things. Prayer is also meant to gird you for battle.
Stay alert. Stay awake. Don’t give room for evil to creep in. Daily repent. Be on guard.
Command #2: Pray for God’s will and then supplication (41-43)
Exp. Now, we see how Jesus particularly prays in the Garden. Verse 41-42. He sandwiches his prayer of supplication in God’s will. “If you are willing” - “remove this cup” - “Your will be done.” This is where our faith and prayers may fall short. Often we pray for things, and are bummed when they don’t happen. We can forget that God’s will is greater than ours. Jesus asks if the cup would be removed, the cup of wrath, and God’s answer is no.
Ill. Years ago, I wrestled with prayer in thinking that I should only pray for God’s will because that’s only what mattered. I would struggle on hospital visits with people who were ailing. My prayers might not even be for healing, but his will. Wrong? no. But we can pray for good things we desire.
Arg. Would it be good if God removed the cup from Jesus? Yes, an innocent man shouldn’t suffer. Yet, is it better that he drinks the cup of wrath? Yes, because it would bring salvation. Even though God doesn’t remove cup, he sends an angel to him. Verse 43. God also ministers to us in these times if we are paying attention.
Christ - Jesus models obedience to God’s will even when God answered no to this prayer. Jesus would carry the cross of obedience on our behalf.
7 In the days of his flesh, Jesus offered up prayers and supplications, with loud cries and tears, to him who was able to save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverence. 8 Although he was a son, he learned obedience through what he suffered. 9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
App. What do we do?
Pray for God’s will. Start your prayers this way.
Pray for good things you desire. Like being led away from temptation.
Trust in his will.
Command #3: Pray through agony (44)
Exp. For some of us, prayer can be something that we forget to do at certain times. For others, prayer seems repetitive because you feel like you just pray for the same thing. For some, you know God is leading you through tough times, and praying and obeying God’s will is agony. Verse 44. Agony = intense sorrow, anguish. What is he agonizing? Drinking from the cup. What is his response? He prays more earnestly. He doesn’t stop praying. How many of us would go and look for another way? Or be discouraged enough to stop praying? He holds on tighter.
Ill. Roller coaster at Disney World. When I first rode it, I was terrified. But there was nothing to do. I had to just hold on to the restraints as tight as possible until it was over. Jesus, through prayer, is doing the same. The only way he endures, is through the strength of the Father.
Christ - Jesus models praying through agony. His agony was so intense that his sweat was falling as if he had an open wound and blood were pouring out. Gethsemane is Hebrew for “wine press” and “plump olives.” The image is a place in which pressure is applied and juices come out. Jesus is being pressed through his agony. But his suffering does not end here.
App. What do we do?
Keep praying when it’s hard. Don’t stop praying.
Conclusion
Here’s what to do this week:
Pray every prayer wrapped in God’s will.
Pray that God leads you away from temptation.
Pray through trials you may face.
