We surely have every reason to pray with Jesus, for He is out for us alone. It is only because of us that it is not possible for the cup to be taken from Him. Every drop in that cup of suffering is the penalty of humanity's rebellion against God, our self-centered sinfulness. And He came to drink it! Surely if we had been there, we may think, we would have stayed awake, and prayed with Him. But that is boastful thinking, for why don't we do it now? Why do so many miles pass beneath our feet, so many raindrops fall upon us between our prayers?
A shut-in once told her pastor that she almost didn’t make it from her knees into her bed at night. He suggested that she just get into bed and pray from her pillow. “Oh no! I’m afraid I might fall asleep in the middle of my prayer.”
How thankful we can be that our standing with God does not depend on our performance in prayer, but on Him who prayed, even when alone, for our salvation, and then went to the cross to secure it, to wipe away every claim God's law had against us. Our thankfulness to Him who came back and awakened us to life moves us to pray in good times or bad, in sickness or in health, for neither life nor death shall separate us from the love of God which is assured to us in Him.
Therefore let us watch and pray, Knowing He will hear us
As we see from day to day Dangers ever near us,
And the end doth impend —
Our redemption neareth When the Lord appeareth. Amen.
(The Lutheran Hymnal, 446:6) |
