Intense Prayer in a time of Intense Distress

A season of prayer in Ukraine

Scripture:

Mark 14:32   They went to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” ³³ He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. ³⁴ And said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.” ³⁵ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. ³⁶ He said, “Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.” ³⁷ He came and found them sleeping; and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not keep awake one hour? ³⁸ Keep awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” ³⁹ And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. ⁴⁰ And once more he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy; and they did not know what to say to him. ⁴¹ He came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Enough! The hour has come; the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴² Get up, let us be going. See, my betrayer is at hand.”

Observation:

Jesus takes the disciples with him to Gethsemane, a garden that probably had a cave area where they could be protected from the cold of the evening. He told the disciples to sit while he prayed, but then he took Peter, James and John with him a little further, to the place where he was going to pray. 

We learn much about Jesus and his posture of prayer during this scene. It was common for Jews to pray aloud so the words that are recorded here would have been those that Peter remembered and share with Mark. The invitation to this intimate space was for these three, the ones who had been witnesses to “Jesus’ life-giving power” (5:37–43) and “transcendent glory” (9:2–9).“ Now they become observers of his human frailty” (Marcus 2009, 983). 

Normally a Jew would stand before God, arms raised toward heaven and pray aloud. Instead, we find Jesus in great distress, throwing himself on the ground and pleading with the Father that this hour might pass from him. The use of the Aramaic word “Abba” is placed here so that we understand the intimacy between Jesus and his father. Children commonly referred to their father as “abba” and disciples would use the word as one of respect, referring to an esteemed teacher. It is a term that connotes respect and obedience. 

While Jesus’ prayer is simple, it is also intense. He is in deep distress over the coming events and if it could be possible, Jesus would prefer to not have to face the cross. This was his human nature, not wanting to have to go through what was coming and yet, in obedience, he will follow-through and accept what would lie ahead. It was in this way that Jesus conquered the enemy.

This passage becomes a lesson on prayer. We see Jesus’ bearing and are allowed to “hear” his intimate address which includes a confession of God’s omnipotence. Jesus pleads to be spared from suffering and then declares his obedient submission to the will of the Father. What we see in his posture is his helplessness apart from the Father’s enablement for the mission. While he prays for deliverance, he also becomes accepting of the suffering and now, having laid himself out before God, he will be able to stand before men. 

Application:

For many people these days may lead us to a point of stress as we have never experienced in our lifetime. Every day is something new and we don’t know how long this situation will go on. No one knows whether this disease will affect their family or loved one, or neighbor, or friend. I have a son-in-law who is a medical doctor in the UK; he’s on the front-lines and it’s already anticipated that he will get ill, and bring it home to our daughter and grandson. This is what we face and so we find ourselves in need of intense prayer, all the while trying to learn lessons from the Lord. 

I want to learn from Christ, to live in a posture of submission to the Father. I cry out to the Father, “Please, take this virus away from all of us! Our world seems crazy and out of control, and yet, not my will, but yours be done.”  We can learn to live with a submissive posture before the Father, and then we can then stand and serve before men. 

I’m praying that this season will be one in which I learn more and more from Christ. We need to participate with Christ in intense prayer during this time of intense distress. 

Prayer:

Lord, teach me to pray. Amen.