Good Friday - Vipin - Prayer Lessons from Gethsemane

Prayer Lessons from Gethsemane

The Jews sang Psalm 113 to 118 on the day of passover. It is likely that Jesus also sang this song on the day he was crucified.

‭Verse Psalms 118:24

[24] This is the day the Lord has made. We will rejoice and be glad in it.

The Lord ordained this day of suffering for Jesus. It is said of this day that "it pleased the Lord". This day started with the prayer at Gethsemane.

‭Verse: Mark 14:32

[32] They went to the olive grove called Gethsemane, and Jesus said, “Sit here while I go and pray.” 

What can we understand about the prayer?

  • Practice of Prayer
  • Posture of Prayer
  • Purpose of Prayer
  • Perseverance of Prayer
  • Power of Prayer

Practice of Prayer

Jesus prayed all through out his journey on earth.

Verse: ‭Luke 5:16

[16] But Jesus often withdrew to the wilderness for prayer. 

Here are some quotes from men of prayer

"We pray when there is nothing else to do, but God wants us to praye before we do anything at all" ... Oswald Chambers

"No man is greater than his prayer life. The pastor who is not praying is playing. The people who are not praying are straying. We have many organizers, but few agonizers; many players and payers, few pray-ers; many singers, few clingers; lots of pastors, few wrestlers; many fears, few tears; much fashion, little passion; many interferers, few intercessors; many writers, but few fighters. Failing here, we fail everywhere" ..... Leonard Ravenhill

"I have so much business I cannot get on without spending three hours daily in prayer.” Martin Luther

"When I pray, coincidence happen, when I don't, they don't" Arch bishop of Cantebury

How do we develop the habit of prayer?

  • Have a time of prayer. Jesus prayed in the morning.... Jesus prayed in the evening.
  • Place of prayer - We need a place away from distraction. .... just like Jesus who chose the garden of Gethsemane
  • Partners in Prayer - Jesus took with him Peter, James and John to pray along with him.

The secret of prayer is to pray in secret. Our prayer life develops daily. Let us make prayer a priority in our lives.

Posture of Prayer

The posture of prayer is humlity and submission. And Jesus displayed this outwardly as well. 

Jesus knealt down

Verse: ‭Luke 22:41

[41] He walked away, about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 

Jesus fell to the ground

‭Verse: Mark 14:35

[35] He went on a little farther and fell to the ground. He prayed that, if it were possible, the awful hour awaiting him might pass him by. 

The outward expression of Jesus displayed what was in his heart. He came to God not with a attitude of entitlement. He came with humility. 

The biggest opposition to prayer is Pride. And pride will bring a downfall. The story of Uzziah is one like this.

‭Verse: 2 Chronicles 26:16

[16] But when he had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God by entering the sanctuary of the Lord’s Temple and personally burning incense on the incense altar. 

Uzziah went to the temple to pray. But there was pride and violated God's command. And he was struck because of the sin of pride.

Purpose of Prayer

The purpose of prayer is to know the will of God and submit/fulfill this will of God.

‭Verse: Mark 14:36

[36] “Abba, Father,” he cried out, “everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Jesus know that the cup of suffering was ordained for him. He was asking strength to fulfill the purpose that God had.

‭Verse: Isaiah 50:4-6

[4] The Sovereign Lord has given me his words of wisdom, so that I know how to comfort the weary. Morning by morning he wakens me and opens my understanding to his will.

[5] The Sovereign Lord has spoken to me, and I have listened. I have not rebelled or turned away. 

[6] I offered my back to those who beat me and my cheeks to those who pulled out my beard. I did not hide my face from mockery and spitting.

The crucifixion was a gruesome death. But this was the will of God so that many might be saved. Jesus is asking us to carry our cross as well.

‭Verse: Matthew 16:24 

[24] Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 

What comes out of all this crushing and cross carrying. Gethsemane means oil press. Figuratively speaking.... when the olives are crushed, that is when the oil is obtained. And God has a plan through all our cross carrying.

Hence let us pray.... "not my will, but your will".... God's purpose!

Paul prayed this way.... this could be a model of prayer

Verse: ‭Colossians 1:9-11

[9] So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. 

[10] Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. 

[11] We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy, 

"A praying man will stop sinning and a sinning man will stop praying"

Perseverance of Prayer

erseverance of Prayer Jesus prayed over and over again

Verse: ‭Matthew 26:44

[44] So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again. 

Jesus is asking us to not give us

‭Verse: Luke 18:1

[1] One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up. 

Power of Prayer

God gives us strength beyond our understanding. 

Verse: ‭Luke 22:43

[43] Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him. 

We can also tap into this strength to fulfill God's purpose. 

There were many missionaries over the years who faced dangerouse conditions. And the story of David Livingstone was one of them. He faced death often among the warrior tribes. And one time, he was almost attacked. But the attacking party saw 47 warriors guarding him. The 47 coincided with people who were supporting him in prayer in England.

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