August 16
Mark 14:32-42
Question 1: Do I take time to think about what Jesus suffered before the cross for me? Hmm... not really. When I think about Jesus suffering, I think about the physical pain. I think about Him being beaten, bloody, and hanging from a cross. I don't usually think about how awful it must have been before that. "It was not the physical suffering that almost overwhelmed Him with 'anguish and sorrow,' but the contemplation of being forsaken by His father." (Warren W. Wiersbe) But Jesus drew strength from talking to His Father, our Father! He was not alone - even though His disciples kept falling asleep on Him. When we are in crisis we too can draw strength from prayer. Prayer is also how we stay in God's will. Jesus' prayer was the perfect example of how we should be praying. He told God what was in His heart, in fact the bible says He "cried out". We shouldn't be holding back on God, because He knows what we're thinking anyway. But then Jesus made it clear that even though He had these desires, His strongest prayer was that God's will be done. "'Abba, Father,' he cried out, 'everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.'" (vs. 36 NLT) So many times in this study I have thought to myself, 'I wish I could be more like Jesus.' - I guess that's kinda the whole goal isn't it?!
Principle: Only in prayer can I draw strength and submerge my will into the Father's will in my crisis.
Application:
1. Do I take time to think about what Jesus suffered before the cross for me?
2. Who has asked me to stand with them in prayer, and am I praying?
3. Do I truly want God's will in my present crisis, or do I want my own?
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"Yet not what I will, but what you will." This is one of the most important prayers we can pray. It is part of "the Lord's prayer" when we say, "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." Surrendering our will to God's will is often costly. It certainly was for Jesus. Before he could die for the world, he first had to die to self. And dying to self is a daily battle. The old nature does not want to yield.
ReplyDeleteThe serenity prayer speaks of dying to self in the last 5 lines.
God grant me the serenity
To accept the things I cannot change;
Courage to change the things I can;
And wisdom to know the difference.
Living one day at a time;
Enjoying one moment at a time;
Accepting hardships as the pathway to peace;
Taking, as He did, this sinful world
As it is, not as I would have it;
Trusting that He will make all things right
If I surrender to His Will;
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life
And supremely happy with Him
Forever and ever in the next
As I think about question 2, Many people ask for prayers. I usually include them in my pray once a day or even just one time forgetting later. When people ask for pray then need it more than I usually give. I want to take the time to pray for others several times though out the day. As well as follow up on how the situation is going to see if I need to change my prayers in any way.
ReplyDeleteAlso question #2...I can have all the good intentions to pray for someone, but when it comes right down to it how much time do I really spend in prayer??? I can sadly relate to the disciples falling asleep. Maybe your thought, Michelle, that "when people ask for prayer they need it more that I usually give" will stick in my mind and I will pray with more conviction.
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