When sweat turns red

Does Prayer make a difference? (Pause) If I asked you the question, “Why is it we pray?” I’m sure I would get all sorts of answers from. What are we seeking from God when we come to Him in prayer? Are we praying out of desperation? Are we looking for peace? Are we looking for Love? Are we praying for a raise at work? Are we praying for the end of human suffering? Are some of us praying for a miracle? However, if we are just simply accepting what God has already allowed, then why is it we would even bother and pray?

Have you ever wondered, why does God answer some of our prayers one way and for others answer differently? For instance when we plead with God over loved ones or children with cancer and He helps some recover but not everyone?

There are so many things to ponder when it comes to prayer. Does God answer some prayers but not all prayers? Does he answer me sometimes but not all the time?

I think I have effectively dirtied the water here. Fortunately, the Bible has truth which can ease out bewilderment as well encourage us.

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Do you remember back in the 1990’s when we used to see wrist bands and bumper stickers that would read WWJD …What did that stand for? What would Jesus do?....I want to swap out the 2nd W with a D. (Change slide)

eliminating the hypothetical statement and ask What Did Jesus Do? I’ll tell you one thing He did every single day. He prayed.

eliminating the hypothetical statement and ask What Did Jesus Do? I’ll tell you one thing He did every single day. He prayed. Before we begin, let’s pray.

Before we begin, let’s pray.

If you have your Bible’s with you I would encourage you to turn to

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32 And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. 34 And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch.”

32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”

Jesus is fully aware as to what is come. The anticipation of what was to happen must have been brutal. So what is it that Jesus does, He takes those who are closes to him to join him in his biggest hour of grief. This was the beginning of the darkest attack on Jesus. Many times when I have recounted or read this portion of the story, I have glazed over the fact that Jesus brings only the three closest of his disciples with Him, but he doesn’t simply leave the other 8 behind, he instructs them to stay behind and pray. Why does Jesus bring only 3 with him? A possible reason, I would suggest was that Christ desired Peter, James, and John to agonize over what was to come with him. Jesus was about to experience one of the most intense trials and bouts with the devil, that anyone has ever had. He wanted his closest disciples whom he understood God had big plans for to agonize in prayer with Him. Jesus gives a very important example here. When He is at the point of greatest need, He instructs the brethren to pray, and pray for Him while He prays. This is something he practiced daily. Although, Christ may have been at His weakest, His faith and confidence in His Father was at its absolute strongest. He was willing to do WHATEVER His Father expected of Him.

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Let me point out a simple example of prayer. It’s happened to many times than I can count. In fact, I think I’ve shared similar examples with you. What are the 3 most common things we lose at home??? KEYS, WALLET, CELLPHONE. Those are my top three. It seems like every time I lose my keys, lose my wallet, or lose my phone. I get frustrated immediately. If I am with family, I immediately start blaming someone in my family for moving the item, because it is no longer where I left it, and I remember so specifically where it should be. Then when no one has seen it or denies moving it, I get into panic mode. Where are my keys??? Where is my wallet??? Where is my phone?? Somehow my day can not function without any of those things. I’m sure there are many of you who can relate….suddenly you take a breath, ask God to help you. All of the sudden, boom you either know where it is, or suddenly its found.

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It’s interesting the three things I can’t go about my day without. Jesus only had one. He couldn’t go about His day without spending a significant amount of time with His Father in prayer. Every single person I know whose faith is strong in the Lord are ones who spend time in active prayer. Its those people who never seem to have doubts about God’s existence or doubt His plan for them. It’s not that they don’t have doubts. It’s just they spend more time expressing their doubts and concerns, and grief to the one who has answers and comfort. It’s the people who actively spend time in prayer and are listening for that still small voice that find the faith they are looking for.

Jesus now alone with the other 3 are nearby but no longer with him. Jesus is weak. He can feel the separation from His father begin. Verse 35

35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.” Jesus here, does not fear the physical suffering of which is to come. Jesus is plenty prepared for that. The “cup” which he is referring to here is the weight of the sins of mankind which are beginning to press down on him. I don’t know about you, but when I picture the passion or suffering of Christ…I’m thinking how much I would not be able to endure the whips, nails, and thorns. Maybe that is part of our sinful nature…when we weigh physical suffering as a greater cost than being separated from our father. Is it possible that some of us have not entered into the kind of relationship with God where we need to agonize or experience longsuffering more about our connection to God not being where it needs to be. I would suggest it is in those moments where we find trust and the capacity to make statements such as the one Jesus said, such as “NOT MY WILL BUT YOURS BE DONE.”

-Jesus was not passive in his prayers, “well I guess this will be how its going to be”

-Not rebellious: I’ll dictate what happens in the future, I know what is best,

-He Was: Open to the God at work here and now.

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Jesus showed he was willing to go the distance. He was willing to die for you and for me…no matter what was to come. It was torture. It was the same kind of torture Abraham had to experience when God instructed him to sacrifice His son. Abraham demonstrated he was willing to do anything for His God and in any outcome. Of course the Abba father and His son had to follow through with it.

I know many of you here have had to pray that prayer before. “Not my will but yours be done” It’s not a prayer many of us want to pray. When we are praying we want what we are asking for to happen don’t we? Why would God not want our loved ones suffering from cancer to be healed? Why wouldn’t God want me to find a job? Do you ever find yourself bargaining with God when you are praying? If you do this for me God, I’ll do this for you? I’ve never really paid much attention to the lottery, but this past week it was pretty difficult not hear a little bit about it. Apparently it got up to 1.5 billion dollars. 1.5 BILLION DOLLARS. I heard that and I immediately started doing this bargaining in my head. Lord, if you had me win 1.5 billion. I’d use to buy both my congregations new churches. I would spread the rest to throughout the various levels of our church. And I’ll just keep maybe a million or so. I thought about how silly my thoughts were. God has trusted me with the money God has trusted with me and He has blessed me so immensely why do I need a million dollars? I wonder how many people prayed they’d win the lottery this week? Praying to God is not about bargaining. It is not about making wishes to be granted it. It is about experiencing peace in the knowledge that God is at work on your behalf and that you can connect with the one who is standing with you amongst your trials and is looking out for you.

So is that the solution to getting the answer in which we are looking for? Being connected to God? We talked about in prayer meeting last Thursday about reading verses in their proper context. For instance I could take one of my absolute favorite verses in the Bible ‘If you abide in me and my words abide in you, you will ask what you desire and it will be done for you”….that verse alone sounds like all I need is a solid relationship with the Lord and my wishes now come true. Verse 5 adds a little bit of context: 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. All good things come from the vine, the source, which is God. Those who abide in Christ are Christ minded, and your desires are OPEN to what God has instore. In fact, when you abide in Christ, you are not only simply open to God’s will, but are actively seeking His plan. I know that’s been one of my issues in prayer, and maybe some of you can relate, is that when I am praying often I am not seeking God’s direction, I am simply praying for what I want and for God to fulfill my most noblest of desires rather than seek His direction and purpose. Not that its wrong for us to ask God for specific things. As we read earlier in Jesus request to His father, If this cup can possibly be taken away from me, please do it, but I understand if this is the only way, I’m willing to do whatever it takes. That is the line I believe we fall short.

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However, His father did respond to His prayer. What Jesus needed in this moment was strength only His father could provide Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

In Christ’s darkest hour of spiritual battle, His father sent an angel to provide strength, his disciples had failed to give Him. When we pray often we are asking God to rescue us from our perils. Often we are praying that the cup which has been provided to us, might disappear. I’ve said this before, but God does not promise to rescue us from every trial and or fire which is before, but you can rest assured God will provide strength and standing next to us amongst every difficult circumstance we can endure.

Isn’t it comforting, however, when we are going through a trial also, recognizing that your friends and family, and church are taking time to kneel and pray for you as well? There is comfort knowing that complete strangers are taking the time to pray for a difficulty. We receive strength when we pray. We may not always have direct answers like we are seeking, but when we are praying with openness to God, we can find rest and peace that God is on our side.

But Jesus as He is praying and ultimately resisting the devil’s onslaught comes to be with his disciples and discovers they are not praying, but instead asleep.

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Verse 37: 37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him. How disheartening it must have been for Jesus as he witnesses His disciples cannot stay awake and support Him during His hour of need. For all of Peter’s talking, and all of James and John’s talk of sitting on the left and right of Him, they were not up for the task Jesus had given them. Jesus makes the statement, in reference to them. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. This explains why the disciples were so eager to follow Jesus, but so eager to flee when danger arose.

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Abraham Lincoln was once quoted saying: “I have been driven many times upon my knees by the overwhelming conviction that I had no where else to go. My own wisdom and that of all about me seemed insufficient for that day.” ― Abraham Lincoln

Often I think it can be true we want to spend more time in prayer, but other things can distract us. Maybe it’s kids, maybe it’s a few more minutes of sleep, maybe its possible your one on one relationship with God isn’t quite what it used to be. I’ll tell you right now church, the devil works hard to distract us from our intimate time with God….and it can be very much what you witnessed up here before with the kids. If we aren’t spending time with God daily in prayer and listening to Him in the word…it can be awful difficult to distinguish His voice amongst all the noise. One of the most powerful things you can do when you pray is to ask God to give you the focus you desire. Ask God for strength.

Ya know I know many of our childhood best friends are no longer our best friends, not because of a falling out, but simply because you don’t talk anymore. Can you really consider Jesus your best friend of you are not spending time talking to Him?

I believe also friends, when we pray and have created an intimate strong close relationship with Him. When our hearts truly abide in Him, we can have confidence and assurance in our requests to God. Have you ever heard that prayer prayed before (with absolutely good intentions) but where you pray to God for something, but then you say, Lord if it be your will, (Like we are letting God off the hook if He doesn’t come through for us, our faith will not be shaken) I do believe there are times when we call on God, we can expect him to answer…again when our hearts desires abide in Christ’s. I know that sounds bold, but I’ve literally seen it.

(NOSOCA STORY OF THE RAIN STOPPING)

If God cares enough to let a bunch of kids keep camping out underneath the stars and talking and worshipping God, don’t you think you can call on Him and expect great things from a great God?

You know so far ive brought up examples of lost keys, or a wallet, or phone…and God answers those prayers. I even bring up this story I witnessed over a decade ago…but what about the big stuff?? What about a crumbling marriage? What about my son or daughter with cancer? We have all experienced extreme pain in our lives and not every single wound we’ve experienced has healed….i keep praying and it doesn’t seem to make a difference. First off I believe its not only allowed but important we express to God our feelings, even when we are angry. It is okay to be angry at God. It does not make Him love you any less. He can handle what you are thinking. He can handle it even if you yell. But at the end of it all, submit yourself to God and be Open to what God has in store even if you don’t understand it. This is the point I like to remind people. Think of your life before Christ was in it, and then look at your life now. Often we recognize the difference as much as black and white. Well sure my life is different, and even better but why does God choose to act in other people’s lives and not in mine. Why does He heal this person and allow that person to die. I don’t know. I don’t know why God chooses when to perform miracles and when He allows others to suffer. I do know that God loves each of you and is standing with you amongst every trial and situation. The examples I’ve brought up pale in comparison with bigger issues I’ve needed prayer over. But everytime…you heard me EVERYTIME, I have truly surrendered an outcome over to God, I have found peace and a weight lifted from my shoulders. God is good! Expect great things from a great God who loves you!

Church if you want to know whether prayer makes a difference or not, look no further than the scriptures where you can see the heroes of the Bible were all men and women who prayed. In every major conflict or event, God’s people found themselves in more trouble when they stopped praying…and they found themselves victorious when they were praying. Now is a time where we need more prayer than ever. Are you getting more uncomfortable with what is going on in our country? Are you getting more uncomfortable with how the world is teaching our kids to live? Now is not the time to be caught sleeping. Now is the time where must surrender ourselves and pray for strength, wisdom, discernment, miracles, and for more faith. We must pray for those around us. Let us not pray selfishly, but humbly. Let us pray and ask God for wisdom and ask Him to direct our church. I challenge you to ask God to use you, and then don’t be surprised with the task He lays before you.

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Before Jesus was arrested He visited the three disciples once more.

41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough!

Church there will come a day when we may wish we had spent more time on our knees. Now is not the time we should be resting or sleeping at this time when God has called us. Let us pray that God will use our church in mighty way to bless the people around us.

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mark heisy story

that day I watched as a close friend and mentor at deaths door find encouragement from his church family through their earnest prayers…today I want us to offer each other that same peace.

Those of you who are here today with a burden on your heart. I want to do something a little different today. Today as we close, can we take a moment to pray with our neighbors. I don’t want a single person to leave this place without having the opportunity to be prayed over and prayed with. Lets take a moment and join in groups of 2 or 3, no more than 3 and lets pray for each other. If your really feeling bold, pray with someone you don’t know. I want to want this sanctuary to be a house of prayer today. When you are done, please be reverent to those who are still praying. Then we’ll sing our closing hymn, “God answers prayer.”

Luke 22:44 ESV

And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

luke 22:

When sweat turns red

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