One of our family legends, which when retold always evokes great humor, is our “dinner prayer-box.” The idea was that we would collect written prayer requests, particularly for missionaries and the global work of the Gospel, put them in the box and then take one out each night for our meal-time prayer. Written across the top of the box was Paul’s admonition to the Thessalonians to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The legend tells of how quickly the box collected dust, never really used, mocking the challenge to “pray without ceasing.”
Most Christians both recognize the importance of prayer, while also confessing a failure to be faithful in prayer. Spending focused time communing with the Lord in prayer is modeled by Jesus Himself, whose active prayer life is portrayed in all four Gospels (Matthew 26; Mark 1:35; Luke 9:28; John 17). So evident was Jesus’ own prayer life that it prompted the disciples to request teaching on the subject (Matthew 6:5-14, “the Lord’s Prayer”. Both the early church in Acts (2:42, 12:11-16) and the Apostle Paul were devoted to prayer (Romans 12:12; Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6). The importance of prayer for an active, faithful Christian lifestyle is easily demonstrated throughout the Bible.
To “pray without ceasing” does not mean to produce an endless stream of prayer requests, ignoring things like working, eating or sleeping. Rather, it speaks of developing a consistent way of life that is characterized by a prayerful attitude, one that is quick to look to Jesus in prayer. However, what prompts a follower to prayer? The Scripture provides many motivations:
- A desire to offer glory to the Lord (John 14:13-14; 17:1-3)
- Dependence on God for daily provision (Luke 11:9-13)
- A yearning for fellowship and intimacy (Psalms 42; 63; 84)
- Seeking relief from anxiety and fear (Mark 14:30; Philippians 4:6-7)
- The need to express thanksgiving to God (Psalm 44:1-4; 136)
- Guidance and wisdom for godliness in this world (James 1:5)
- A plea for deliverance, grace, and mercy in times of trouble (Jonah 2)
- The confession of sin (1 John 1:9)
- The longing for salvation, maturity and spiritual health (1 Timothy 2:1-4; Ephesians 3:14-19)
This week in worship we will be looking at Jesus in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane. While only a few of His statements of prayer are recorded, the motivation behind His seeking comfort and assurance from His Father is easy to identify. Of course, if Jesus sought such intimacy in prayer, how much more so should we as well? In our text this week, we see something unique in Redemptive History—the Son of God preparing for the Cross. Yet we also see something modeled for our everyday use—the prayer for intimacy with God Himself.
As you prepare for worship this week, read Mark 14:26-42.
- Why do you think Jesus tells the disciples they will fall away in verses 27-28? Why would He do that? What was His purpose and/or hope for their response?
- Knowing that Peter eventually denies Jesus, just as Jesus stated, why do you think Peter said what he did? What does that tell us about ourselves?
- In verse 33, Jesus begins to be “greatly distressed and troubled.” Given that He was God and knew all things, why would He be distressed/troubled? How are we to understand Jesus’ emotions here?
- The disciples are to “wait” and “watch” while they are praying. What does that tell us about the nature of prayer? How might your prayers reflect this character more?
- Look at the content of Jesus’ prayer—what does He say, what does He ask for? What insights into His desires, His priorities and His upcoming work on the cross can we glean from these verses?
By Henry Knapp