Pray About It

Introduction: This text takes place in the garden of Gethsemane. Jesus has observed the Passover with His disciples, He has instituted the Lord’s Supper, and is now going to be betrayed by Judas, arrested, tried all night, beat, mocked and crucified on the cross. What a dilemma Jesus faces.

As we look at this text today, I pray that we will be helped by Jesus’ example of when and how to pray appropriately about His will for our lives.

Today, I want to encourage you to pray. I want to encourage you today to pray for the will of God to be done in your life and mean it. That’s what Jesus did. Here is the first lesson . . .

Pray When You Struggle with the Will of God

Matthew 26:36–39 ESV

Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

The Will of God is not always easy to come to terms with. God’s Will can also be uncomfortable. Sometimes God’s Will can be tough to face.

Jesus is in pain

Jesus is facing the cross

Jesus is facing death

v. 39 is the first of three times Jesus prays for this cup to pass

Illus: Let this cup pass from me;’ perhaps there is an allusion here to several criminals standing in a row, who are all to drink of the same cup; but the judge extending favour to a certain one, the cup passes by him to the next.”

‘Let this cup pass from me;’ perhaps there is an allusion here to several criminals standing in a row, who are all to drink of the same cup; but the judge extending favour to a certain one, the cup passes by him to the next.”

Joseph Parker, A Homiletic Analysis of the Gospel by Matthew (London: Hodder and Stoughton, 1870), 300.

Application: What are you struggling with that you know is the Will of God. Let me encourage you to say right now to God. Let your will be done.

Transition:

Pray When You Feel Alone in the Will of God

Matthew 26:40–42 ESV

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Explanation: Jesus is in the garden not alone but with his disciples. As a matter of fact, Peter, James and John have gone with him closer to his place of prayer. While Jesus prayed they were sleep. This seems to be a moment of frustration for Jesus, while he prayed they slept.

Illus:

Application: There will be moments when you will feel alone. Those closest to you may not understand but keep praying.

Transition:

Pray When You Accept the Will of God

Matthew 26:43–46 ESV

And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

God will