Today's passage continues this week's theme of remaining in prayer. Through this week, we've seen that we are called to persistent, consistent prayer. As 1 Thessalonians 5.17 and Ephesians 6.18 put it, we are to pray without ceasing, at all times. When we think of praying as starting with "Our Father" or "Dear Jesus" or what have you, and ending with "amen," it would seem like we would constantly be stopping and restarting our prayers. Having those times of dedicated prayer are certainly important, which is why Jesus identified that is how to pray when He gave us the Lord's Prayer and when he did things like we'll read about in today's passage, going off specifically to pray. Throughout His life, and through these other passages, though, we get a sense that life can really be lived in a spirit of prayer. It doesn't need to end; rather we are instructed to keep it going. Our minds should be cognizant that God is always with us, and we should live out our lives constantly with Him, seeking out His direction, basking in His love, talking openly and freely with Him, and listening to Him. If we remain cognizant of God's presence, and the ongoing spiritual warfare, we can remain in that spirit of prayer, alert to what is going on. This is what Jesus wanted from His disciples in today's passage, yet even His "inner circle" of Peter, James, and John fell short.

From today's passage, we learn from Jesus that praying is not always an individual activity, nor a passive one. In the precursor to the Lord's Prayer in Matthew 6, we see in verses 5-6 that public prayer can be an ego trip when done wrong, and in those cases, it would be better to pray alone in a closet. But we also see in John 11.41-42 that Jesus also intentionally prayed in front of people to teach them. In today's passage, He requested His disciples pray at the same time to be of extra support at what was the beginning of His bleakest period. This is important to note: Jesus, who was fully God and man, had times when He was so distressed He called out to God and asked those with Him to pray, as well. He reached outside of Himself for help and sustainment. Both the intentional corporate and tactical kind of praying is wholesome to the body and enables us to better build one another up. Even in such times, though, we will see Jesus demonstrates our fellow brothers and sisters may not be in the same spirit with us. While we should continue to encourage them to be in prayer, this is also a time to be merciful and gracious. Remaining focused on God will help at these times, too.

May the word of God teach to be ever focused on God and vigilant in the spirit realm, strengthen us to that end, and knit us together as one body in unity in the Holy Spirit.

[Mark 14.32-40]

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.” 35 And going a little farther, he 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. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.” 37 And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 39 And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. 40 And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What was Jesus' instruction in v. 32?

+ Whom did Jesus take further along with Him? [v. 33]

+ What did Jesus pray, and why? [vv. 35-36]

+ With that on Jesus' mind and heart, why did Jesus ask His disciples and especially His inner circle to be praying? [vv. 34 + 38]

+ What did His disciples do? [vv. 37 + 40]

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ How is your prayer life? Is it a small portion of your spiritual walk? Is it something that comes up frequently? Is it how you live every minute of your life? What steps will you take to progress toward the ideal that Jesus demonstrated in His life?

+ When have you last asked others to pray with and for you? As Jesus demonstrates, prayer is not always a lone act; there are various reasons when praying with others is important.

+ When you are at your weakest in mind, body, or spirit, do you turn to God? Do you seek out support from others? Jesus indicated these are both important. Turn to God and seek the help of others when (not if) it is needed.

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?