Gethsemane Prayer:

Matthew 26:36-38 “...Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me...”

Mark 14:32-34 “...And they went to a place called Gethsemane. And he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” And he took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death. Remain here and watch...”

Luke 22:39-40 “...And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation...”

Why was Jesus on the Mount of Olives in the garden of Gethsemane?

• It was a customary place for Him to go to pray.
• He was sorrowful, greatly distressed, and troubled.

What do you do when you’re distressed and troubled?

• John 14:1 “...Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me...”
• John 14:27 “...Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid...”

Can you avoid being troubled, given that Jesus was troubled?

• John 16:33 “...I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world...”

What instructions did Jesus give His disciples?

• Most were asked to sit while Jesus went off to pray.
• Peter, James, and John were taken further, then asked to remain and watch.
• The Luke account reveals Jesus advising them to pray that they wouldn’t enter into temptation.

Matthew 26:39 “...And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will...”

Mark 14:35-36 “...And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. 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...”

Luke 22:41-44 “...And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground...”

Did Jesus have a preference?

• He wanted the cup removed.

Why didn’t Jesus push more aggressively for His preference?

• He wanted the will of the Father more than He wanted His own preference.
• Do we?

What additional things did the Luke account reveal about the garden event?

• An angel from heaven strengthened Him.
• He then prayed more earnestly.
• His sweat was like great drops of blood falling to the ground.

Do you ever get help to pray more earnestly?

• Romans 8:26 “...Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words...”

Matthew 26:40-41 “...And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak...”

Mark 14:37-38 “...And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak...”

Luke 22:45-46 “...And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation...”

How well did the disciples follow the instructions of Jesus?

• They fell asleep on the job.
• They couldn’t last one hour in prayer.

How often do you spend just an hour in prayer?

Why is it important to watch and pray?

• The flesh is weak.
• Temptation is much to easily entered into.

Matthew 26:42-46 “...Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand...”

Mark 14:39-42 “...And again he went away and prayed, saying the same words. And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were very heavy, and they did not know what to answer him. And he came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? It is enough; the hour has come. The Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand...”

Why was the prayer in the garden important?

• Jesus was about to face a terrible ordeal.
• Jesus prepared for the ordeal by talking with His Father, and being strengthened from heaven.