Lessons from Gethsemane

There are very few passages in the Scriptures to reveal the   picture of Jesus in intercessory prayer. One such scenario is the garden of Gethsemane and the lessons we learn there will keep our prayer time ticking. Read Mt 26:36-46; Mk 14:32-42; Lk 22:39-46; Jn 18:15.

Jesus did not take prayer lightly. He crossed the brook Kidron, climbed the Mount of Olives and reached the Garden to pray. We must discipline ourselves to overcome hurdles in prayer.

He preferred  natural surroundings where He could freely express Himself.  It is good to pray in our prayer closet. But if a garden, seashore, lonely place, terrace or even the house when everyone is away is at our disposal, we should make the best use of it.

It was an accustomed place for Jesus. There was nothing new to distract Him. It is good to have a regular place of prayer where if we retire the children or others will know we are not  to be disturbed.

Serious prayer is a time to be away even from our closest associates. Jesus left His companions a good distance away.

Eight of His friends were asked to be seated while the prayer request was handed over to only three. Even the Man-God Jesus sought prayer support. Our needs must be made known to our prayer partners. Delicate points should not be shared in wider groups.

We  should  not  be  looking  for  ideal  prayer  supporters.  They  may  be  sleepy Christians like Peter, James and John.

Jesus was deeply depressed and sorrowful. These are natural reactions. They should not make us sleep like the disciples, rather drive us to pray like Jesus.

He fell on His face or knelt down. It is important that we humble ourselves while pleading with a great God. Squirming in chairs, crosslegged and mumbling a prayer is not Scripture culture. We won’t do it to a dignitary, would we?

He prayed aloud crying “O.” The disciples could hear clearly at stone’s throw even in their sleepy state to record the prayer. Praying aloud helps us to concentrate, be alert and to express clearly.

He was used to strong crying and tears in prayer (Heb 5:7) We must learn to let loose our emotions especially weeping. It is an expression of emotion common in East as against the repression in West. Jeremiah wept (9:1). Samuel cried to the Lord for Saul all night (1 Sam 15:11). Our tears are recorded in heaven! (Psa 56:8).

Jesus was frank in His expression. Heart of hearts He wanted the cup removed. He did not count it cowardice to express His weakness to the Father. We should never put up a false front in prayer. We must train ourselves to bare our souls and disclose our inner secrets in prayer.

Essentially prayer is based on relationship. Jesus addressed God as Abba Father. He taught us to address the Father in   His Name (Jn 16:23). We ask our Father and our elder Brother recommends our case (Mt 23:9; Heb 2:11).

Jesus did not claim anything as His right. He did not ask “Why?” or “Why Me?” but just pleaded for grace. We are unworthy to demand anything of God. But we can boldly go to the throne of grace to obtain mercy (Heb 4:16).

He claimed the promise of God, “All things are possible for You.” We must put our fingers in God’s promises as we pray. That encourages us to take hold of God at His word.

He never put the Father under pressure. Even for the worst trial His attitude was “If possible.” We can freely express our desires to God but must leave the outcome in His hand.

Jesus completely submitted  Himself to the will of God. Though  He quoted the promise and knew God could do it, His deepest desire was that God’s will should be accomplished in His life. Such a prayer is safest since God knows what is best for us. To pray effectively we must want what God wants.

In  submitting  to God’s  will,  Christ  sacrificed  His  desire  to  escape  the  cup  of suffering. Prayer is where we learn to die to our own adamant will.

Such prayer  is unselfish.  Jesus  gave  Himself  up  to  the will of the Father  that mankind might be saved. He crushed His “self” underfoot for the sake of someone else. Our motive must be totally unselfish.

The prayer did not change God. By praying we don’t change God, but our attitude is transformed and we are changed.

Prayer is not an easy job. For Jesus it was a haemorrhage of sweat. Paul calls it labour (Col 4:12). If we involve ourselves actively in intercession we simply cannot doze off in prayer. Today the blood and sweat and tears He shed have trickled to the corners of the world. Serious prayer cannot but touch the world.

He prayed for an hour. He meant business with God. It was not a casual good morning,  good  night  prayer.  For  Him  it  was  meeting,  communing,  interceding, pleading with the Creator of the universe. It couldn’t just be done in no time. Forget about the rest of the swirling activities around you and wait on the Lord when you go to Him.

It was the hush of the night. Prayer during busy hours is difficult because our concentration will be shattered in all directions. The mind should be at peace. You’ll find, when you  give God the best of your time, He will give you grace for the rest of the time.

Jesus prayed in agony. No one can feel for us as we do ourselves. That’s why Jesus was not upset when the disciples slept. We should not totally rely on others’ prayer for us. There are times when we have to bear our agony alone.

Obviously when He was praying, the thought of His disciples crossed His mind. Such automatic thoughts are unavoidable. We should decide whether  it is important enough to get up and go or not. During an hour of prayer sometimes it helps to get up, go, fresh up and kneel down again.

Though three were entrusted with the responsibility, Jesus addressed Peter for their slackness. Leaders should pray more and be more responsible. They are answerable for prayer slackness in their cell.

Those who pray should make others to pray.  It is our duty to wake up sleepy Christians around us and urge them to pray lest they are overtaken in temptation. Only those who pray can spread the ministry of prayer. We must check on our disciples’ prayer life.

Jesus taught us to pray to the Father not to “lead” us into temptation.  He also warned us to pray that we may not “enter” temptation. God will lead us not into temptation if we enter not into it ourselves.

Willingness does not guarantee anything. The spirit is always ready. But it must be supplemented with prayer that the willing spirit may overrule the weak flesh.

We learn the principle of “praying again” from Jesus. Elijah “prayed again” (Js 5:18). We must pray and pray again  like the persistent widow of Luke 18. Jesus prayed again; the disciples slept again.

Jesus prayed the same prayer using the same words. This is not vain repetition but meaningful  repetition.  We  keep  praying  the same prayer  till  we receive  an  inner assurance.

Jesus prayed “earnestly.” Elijah prayed “earnestly” (Js 5:17). We must pour heart and soul while vocalising our prayer. Sometimes our prayers are a kilometre long and a centimetre deep. Set your mind on the goal. An underinterested prayer accomplishes little.

We are strengthened in prayer. Though an angel strengthened Jesus, His agony did not disappear. He was strengthened to stand the agony. Paul prayed thrice but God simply said His grace was enough and His strength would be made perfect in his weakness. Probably the angel conveyed the same message to Jesus. Those who pray again and yet again without an answer should grasp this message.

The prayer of Jesus for the cup to be removed was not answered. So what happened to Him, happened according to God’s will. When we pray and things don’t happen as we prayed, then we are assured that whatever happened was according to God’s will.

Jesus  prayed  with  focus.  It  was  short  and  to  the  point,  not  punctuated  by unnecessary words. It had no introduction or conclusion. God is not carried away by our grandiloquence.