Draw strength from God—because you’ll need it!” That’s how I would paraphrase Luke 22:40 where Jesus told His disciples, “Pray that you will not give in to temptation.” The call to pray is so urgent that Jesus repeats the plea in verse 46. The reason for this repetition is found in the warning, “so that you will not give in to temptation.”
Prayer strengthens us when we face temptation. Someone said: “Lead me not into temptation—I can find it myself.” We all struggle with our human tendencies and desires. Temptation stirs the blood and inflames the imagination. Only God can keep us from its charms and help us to see temptation for what it is.
The prayerlessness of the disciples is a reminder of our sinful inclination towards a lack of prayer. And in these same verses, we see also the perfect example of a prayer for strength. The Savior met the coming crisis the way He met all others prayerfully.
Jesus called out to the Father “in such agony of spirit that His sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood” (v.44). The words “agony of spirit” communicate the idea of wrestling. Jesus the Son wrestled with God the Father concerning the “cup” that included His unthinkable separation from the Father. It also meant accepting the full wrath of God for all sins committed by us. Jesus was tempted in His full humanity not to go to the cross.
Yet, the heart of His prayer was clear: “Your will be done.” He submitted to the will of the Father. And we read, “an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened Him” (v.43). Jesus was then able to turn away from the possibility of taking the way of the crown without the dark passage of the cross. And because of His submission, we can now be redeemed, cleansed, and justified.
More:
Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere (Ephesians 6:18).
Next:
What keeps you from praying for strength? How can you grow a daily dependence on Jesus?
stupart on May 2, 2010 at 7:33 am
I was just reminded yesterday of the scripture that says the prayer of a righteous man availeth much. Your words today only serves to reemphasize that. It is very timely. Thank you!
katuti on May 2, 2010 at 9:48 am
My grandmother used to spent a lot of hours praying and when I was a kid I thought “that´s boring”
Today one of my weaknesses is the prayer… it’s hard for me to devote time to prayer.
Now I see my grandmother and I admire and I realized the importance of that hours of praying and I know that it was the best time spent because is the base of all.
This devotional was very encouraging for me today to “get up and pray”
Thanks !
msumalabe on May 2, 2010 at 1:49 pm
thank you for this message, most especially the part where you mentioned about the heart of the Lord’s prayer, “Your will be done”.
this is quite fitting to my situation. i tend to do things on my own accord, instead of submitting my actions and decisions to the Lord’s will. eventually, my life ends up in a mess.
i pray that, through His strength that is made perfect in my weakness, i would be able to fully trust His faithfulness and His will in my life.
lilD on May 2, 2010 at 2:14 pm
I’m so glad I read this! I really felt convicted by it. There would be days where I could be reading the Bible and analyzing it, or talking to someone about God, but not really praying…and then I would fall into sin no matter all the “good” things that I was doing.
christ251189 on May 2, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Thank you for writing and reminding me on how important your prayer life for your spiritual growth and to resist temptation. I haven’t had an intimate conversations with God lately, and it affects whole lots of things in my life. I got exhausted easily and fell to many sins. Only recently I started to pray more and with my heart in the spirit, it really strengthen me and make my life much better.
Prayer does make a difference in one’s life.
jstith on May 2, 2010 at 11:24 pm
Prayer helps me to deal with whats going on in my life. I pray alot throuh out the day it helps me it comforts me it gives me hope. GOD never promised that we would never go throug anything or have storms develop in our lives. But through prayer we can ask for help and strength for our journey. I had a praying Grand mother and i have a praying mother and i to also pray for others as well as myself. We all need to take time to pray not just for ourselves but for others to.
jessalat17 on May 24, 2010 at 7:25 pm
Prayer gives me strength,,, GOD give me strength. I don’t want the day pass by without talking to HIM. My day becomes incomplete.