Nothing is so difficult as prayer. In the Christian warfare, there are more casualties in prayer than on any other front.
So many lose faith, become heartless in prayer, or because of sin they lose interest! They sleep instead of praying. Our text is Luke 22:46. Here Jesus, nearing the crucifixion, takes His disciples out to Gethsemane. While He struggles in prayer, they sleep.
“Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”
May this study on prayer lead you to a regular life of prayer!
I. REASONS FOR PRAYER
- Jesus commands it. He says, “Rise and pray!” Do you obey God?
- You need it. According to our text, temptations make it imperative that you pray. Look at the disciples. They did not listen to Jesus. They slept. That is why they slipped. Moments later the test came. Indeed, at that very moment the crowd was on its way to capture Jesus. The weak-kneed disciples all forsook Him and fled, (Mark 14:50).
How often could your failures be traced to a lack of prayer? Temptations are no doubt nearing you just now. “Rise and pray!”
- God uses it. God has chosen to accomplish His purposes through prayer. His deliverances and victories are for those who pray.
II. RULES FOR PRAYER
- You must have a definite time for prayer. It is not just a matter of “prayerful living.” It is good to be in constant communion with God, but I doubt that it would be possible without first tarrying with God in a definite daily quiet time of devotion. Also, if emergencies arise, remember to get alone and bow in definite prayer. Don’t just gasp and worry — PRAY.
- You must give your wholehearted attention when you pray. Step into Gethsemane and see that holy kneeling form in the night shadows: “And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground,” verse 44. God help us to pray – really pray!
- You must pray in faith and not be swayed by feelings. Our text tells us why the disciples did not pray, verse 45. They were overcome by sorrow, so instead of praying they gave up and slept. We must learn even in adversity to hold on in prayer. (Jesus did.) When you are misused and abused, pray. (See Matthew 5:44.)
III. RESULTS OF PRAYER
“What’s going to be will be,” say many. “Why pray?” they conclude. But, listen a moment! We are not trapped in a giant fatalistic machine. Prayer changes things. The Almighty God of providence planned it that way. To prayer belongs the hand of providence.
Study our text verse 46. If you pray, temptations can be turned aside — trials overcome. Jesus said to Peter, “Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers, (Luke 22:31,32). Prayer stopped the devil short of destroying Peter.
Still further, as you fellowship with God in prayer, it will wean your heart from loving things that are empty and false. Prayer helps to fasten your “affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” (Read Colossians 3:1,2.) It clears the eyes to see the living Christ on heaven’s throne. To you who pray, God will entrust the fullness of His Spirit to help you conquer inner lusts and weakness and serve effectively. (See Romans 8:13 and following.)
It is good to know that our Father in heaven knows us in such detail as to be familiar with each temptation that confronts us. As we pray, He promises to work.
The world’s blackest moment came when wicked men drove nails into the Son of God. Beneath the darkening sky and in the agonies of death, He prayed, “Father, forgive them.” (Oht the faith to pray at such a time!) A few weeks later in that very city of Jerusalem, the first Gospel sermon rang through the streets from the lips of Peter. God answered the prayer of His Son and forgave and saved 3,000 souls, (Acts 2). He will answer your prayers, too, if you belong to Him.
Oh , let me urge you to pray. Pray regularly, earnestly in private. By name, mention your family and acquaintances — even your problems, and your blessings. Prayer does change things, so PRAY.