Thursday, March 27, 2014
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."
LEARN FROM JESUS CHRIST ... TO PRAY
This is the only time in Scripture that Jesus is described as having fallen on his face in prayer. In complete humility and reverence the Son of God made flesh called upon the Father, asking that if it were possible, that His suffering pass by him.
This doesn't mean that Jesus didn't want to die for you. This doesn't mean that He felt the price tag for your redemption was too steep! When faced by the horrific event, the Son of Man asked if it were possible it be done other way. It's not sinful to ask. But even as the Son asked, He submitted completely to the Father's will, to His answer -- whatever it might be.
There is something more we need to notice. Jesus prayed often during His earthly ministry, on some occasions all night long (Luke 6:12). On the evening before He went to the cross, He spent time in prayer -- perhaps even hours. If the Son of God felt need for prayer, and He didn't have a sinful nature, how much more often should we pray?
We worry and fret about things, but do we then earnestly pray about them? We are concerned for our children, especially as they grow older, but do we then earnestly pray for them? We are troubled about the direction our country and world seem to be going, but do we then pray about it? We are urged by our gracious God to pray and to be persistent in our prayers. He invites us to call upon Him and promises that He hears us because Christ has repaired our relationship with Him and has made us His Children by faith.
Take it to the Lord in prayer!
