The Prayer that Changed the World

Introduction

Imagine losing eyesight - for a preacher - could I even do my work? Read, study, type - preparation. William Walford - 1800s - lost eyesight. Had Scripture read to him and memorized - preach from memory, etc. Renewed dependency on God’s strength to accomplish the mission God had placed before him. “Sweet Hour of Prayer” - “In seasons of distress and grief, my soul has often found relief, and oft escaped the tempter’s snare, by the return, sweet hour of prayer.”

Maybe you are there - a season of distress and grief - Where do you go?

No greater season of distress and grief than what Jesus experienced in the Garden of Gethsemane - Judas left the Passover dinner to betray Jesus - Jesus’ arrest is imminent and His death on the cross is only several hours away - Jesus runs to the Father.

If you believe prayer changes things, then this is the prayer that changed the world. Whether you know it or not, this prayer changed your life.

This prayer shows us much about Jesus, and it also shows us much about ourselves - in seasons of distress instead of running to God we run from God. This passage reminds us why running to God in our seasons of distress and grief is so important and necessary. This morning: three reasons why you must run to God in prayer.

You need to wrestle with God’s will.

All of human history has waited for this moment - for One who would come and rescue us from the sin that was killing us.

Only Jesus is the One who understands the significance of these moments - literally carrying the weight of the world on Himself.

Redefined Passover, told disciples that they would fall away, and that Judas would betray…

Leave Jerusalem for Mt. of Olives - to a garden of Olive Trees - Gethsemane - “Oil Press” - Jesus feeling pressed - pressed with burden for disciples, pressed with weight of sin He would carry, pressed with grief over what was to come.

Kidron Valley - walked on way to Gethsemane - drains from altar carried the blood of 250,000 sacrificial lambs sacrificed for sins of people ran through the valley - and graves on every side - everywhere Jesus looked - surrounded by death knowing that His death imminent - His blood would flow for the sins of people.

Just too much for a man to bear - (humanity on display) - In Garden - takes Peter, James, and John - “Watch and pray...” They needed to pray - especially after what Jesus told them about falling away.

In garden - different side of Jesus - “greatly distressed and troubled” = horrific terror. Instead of authoritative, collective, calm, etc. - astonished, horrified, sorrow to point of death - falls on face before God in agony. Luke: sweat like drops of blood.

Many have died horrific deaths like Jesus died - burned at the stake, crucified, thrown to wild animals, etc. Polycarp refused to swear by Caesar and threatened by throwing to wild animals and then burn him. Polycarp said: “Bring on the beasts “You try to frighten me with the fire that burns for an hour, and you forget the fire of hell that never goes out.” Polycarp approached death with boldness.

Or, Hugh Latimer and Nicholas Ridley burned at stake in England in 1855 for their attacks against the corrupt church of England. Latimer said to Ridley: “Be of good comfort Master Ridley, and play the man: we shall this day light such a candle by God’s grace in England, as I trust shall never be put out.” Approaching death with confidence.

BUT Jesus approaches His death with agony - because he faced something that no martyr faced - the cup of God’s wrath. Cup of God’s wrath described in , . Every sin was going to be placed on Him - - From cross, “My God, my God why have you forsaken me...” The Son of God would stand before His holy Father - the judge of the universe - guilty of every sin ever committed. You can understand the agony - Martyrs died confidently because of what Jesus faced for them. Jesus died in agony because He took sin upon Himself.

In the garden - wrestling. “Father, take it away… If possible, let there be another way. Not my will, but your will be done.”

In the most agonizing moment of His life - His prayer met with silence. No voice from heaven - just Jesus agonizing in silence.

You have never nor will you ever experience agony like Jesus did in the garden BUT you’ve been a place of grief. Go to His presence - wrestle - wrestle to know His will. Reality: sometimes in the wrestling you’ll be met with silence. Why?

So you will keep persisting and keep depending.

So you will say, “Not my will but your will be done.” Will you obey when you don’t get the answer you want?

So you will obey what has already been revealed. For Jesus, the plan had not changed. The silence was a reminder. For you, God has already spoken to you in His Word. (e.g., love your neighbor, forgive your spouse, etc.) Maybe there’s silence because you need to do what you know God wants you to do.

Silence of God = a reminder to keep trusting, keep depending, keep wrestling, and keep saying, “Not my will, but your will be done.”

You need to experience God’s power.

The silence of God. God doesn’t change His will - the cross is His plan.

While the plan of God doesn’t change in the garden - something does happen as Jesus agonizes before the Father. Prayer is transformative and strengthening.

Note - vs. 42 - after several hours of agonizing in prayer - “Rise, let us be going.”

Will of God does not change in the garden. Jesus must drink the cup of God’s wrath. Disciples do not change in garden. They’re still boneheaded. But, Jesus is strengthened and empowered in the Garden. He is more resolute than ever in His mission. He will willingly be arrested. He will stand before the chief priests, Pontius Pilate, and King Herod Agrippa with boldness. He will not back down. He will go to the cross and accomplish God’s purpose.

You need to experience God’s power. AND, If you depend on God’s presence you will be empowered to live out God’s will - even if that means difficulty, challenges, and suffering. Your heavenly Father knows how to give you exactly what you need to accomplish His will. Be reminded:

Power does not come from the people you surround yourself with. - Jesus couldn’t depend on His closest friends - He was utterly alone. There are time that you have felt alone - like those closest to you have abandoned you. Do you depend on people more than God? Do you look to your spouse more than God? A coworker? A trusted friend? Who do you turn to in your grief and agony? You are not alone. Times when God is silent - seems like He has abandoned you. Jesus was abandoned so you would never be abandoned. He has not. He’s strengthening you. He’s giving you power.

Power comes when you relinquish control of your life. Note that Jesus doesn’t take matters into His own hands. Not, “I’m not doing this.” But, “Your will be done.” How many times have you said to God, “No. I will follow you - but I won’t do (Fill in blank). It is freeing to say, “Not my will, but your will.” To say to God, “I’m resting in your plan even if it’s hard and doesn’t make sense.”

You need to listen to God’s voice.

Contrast - Jesus listens and obeys - the disciples did not.

While Jesus might have gotten silence in the garden - He knew God’s will. From eternity past God’s plan was to send His Son as a sacrifice. Jesus knew. He listened and obeyed.

The disciples refused to listen - just hours prior - Jesus says what’s going to happen. They’ll fall away - Peter’s arrogance - refuses to listen - (Gives Jesus the hand)

Jesus says, “Spirit is willing, flesh is weak… Pray so you do not enter temptation...” Clear instruction that Peter, James, and John ignore. If they would have listened and obeyed, strength to stand with Jesus instead of abandoning Jesus.

Some of you like Peter - you’ve told God what you’re going to do instead of listening to His loving warnings. You’ve laid out your plans, your agenda, your intentions, but God knows your heart better than you do.

For some of you, you’re not getting silence. God is speaking to you loud and clear, and you’re choosing to ignore. You’re continuing to say, “My will be done.” -

For some - you think God is silent but you’re life is so crowded with your desires and your will, you simply can’t hear Him. And, you are abandoning Him. You are turning from His will. You are drifting in your relationship with Him.

This morning, He is very clearly speaking to you - calling you to repent of certain sins. Calling you to take a step of faith. Opening a door of ministry for you - just listen! Do not ignore His voice.

Are you weary? In agony? Run to His presence. Are you convicted? Run to His grace. Are you refusing to listen to His voice? What is hindering you from hearing?

Not a believer - Jesus drank the cup so you would never have to drink the cup. Jesus experienced abandonment so you could experience the presence of God and the assurance that you can run to Him and call Him Abba Father if you turn to Him in faith.