The Place Of Prayer

 The Place Of Prayer (Mark 4:32-42) 

I remember as a pastor, walking down the halls of Saint Mary's Hospital in Rochester, Minnesota; and seeing family after family gathered together in the waiting rooms, and hallways, waiting to hear news of their loved ones being treated. For many coming to Mayo Clinic, and Saint Mary's hospital, is a last resort, to conquer the critical health conditions they have. I wondered to myself, how many prayers were offered up for these loved ones in crisis? 

Prayer has a place in our lives, especially in times of trial. Here in the Garden of Gethsemane, we see how prayer found it's place with our Savior in His time of crisis. 

1. It Was A Place Of Pressure (Mark 14:32-34) 

Going to the cross to be crucified was right around the corner. Understandably this was weighing on Jesus's mind. He brought Peter, James, and John with Him for support. It says that He was "troubled, and deeply distressed." In our national crisis, with the pandemic, many have been "troubled, and deeply distressed." The Covid virus, has affected just about every facet of our lives. And for many, it has brought death and destruction. In a time of pressure such as this, we need to approach this crisis with prayer? Like the line in the song: "I Must Tell Jesus." "I must tell Jesus, all of my trials, I cannot bear these burdens alone. In my distress, He kindly will help me. He ever loves and cares for His own." When the pressure is on, talking to, and trusting Jesus, will bring peace to our hearts, and strength to go on. 

2. It Was A Place Of Petition (Mark 14:35-36) 

Our Savior petitioned that this cup of suffering be taken away from Him. We too, desire for trials in our lives to be resolved, taken away. But like Jesus we must approach our trials with a heart of submission. Whatever the Lord's will is, that's what we should desire. Whatever His purpose is for this time of pressure, we must submit to His sovereignty. No matter what the will of the Lord is, we must always remember that the Lord will always be with us, and that He will always take care of us. 

3. It Was A Place Of Priority (Mark 14:37-42) 

Jesus asks the three disciples to sit and watch while He prayed. But each time He came to them, they had fallen asleep. This was a crucial time for Jesus. He knew that in just a short time, they would come to take Him away. It is a crucial time for our Country. America little by little is being taken away. If there was ever a time to pray, and to speak out concerning the issues that threaten our liberties and values, it is now. It is not a time for us as Christians to be asleep, but a time to pray, and be engaged in restoring America to being what God intends for it to be. 

There is a place for prayer in our lives. For us to have a strong relationship with the Lord, and to be an effective worker in His Kingdom, it is very important that -- WE PRAY! GP 

 Idea for sermon outline: Alan Carr - sermonnotebook.org 

 Photo: cogerdesign/3533 images/Pixabay License/Free for commercial use/No attribution required/www.pixabay.com

My Gethsemane!

Mark 14:32-42
The name Gethsemane is Aramaic which means "Olive Press" It was a place where olive trees grew and produced their fruit. The olives were gathered and placed in a press, and the oil was extracted from the olives under extreme pressure. This seemed to be a refuge for Jesus. It was a garden that He came to, to pray, and fellowship with His Father. It was necessary for Him to come and to receive strength for His journey to the cross, which was just around the corner.

It says in v.33 that He was "troubled and deeply distressed."
And who could blame Him. In just a very short time, they would be driving nails through His hands and His feet. Peter, James and John could not know the anguish Jesus was feeling. They were not in His shoes. He asked them to stay focused and pray, but sleep found them three times.

I know that when you are in a crisis, it is hard for people who are with you, to know the pain you are going through. If they were facing what Jesus was facing, I believe they would not have been sleeping, but praying as well, that the cup of suffering would be taken away from them too.

I have never been to the Garden of Gethsemane, but I have had my moments of trial that led me to my knees, in trouble and distress.
But it was through prayer that I received my greatest strength, and developed a solid confidence.

It has happened time, and time again, that as David, I was able to confront my giants, because of the time I spent in prayer. I don't know what you are facing today, but prayer is the greatest tool in the battle with worry and distress.

After Jesus prayed, we see a great confidence to face His betrayer, and those who would take Him away to be crucified.

Find your Gethsemane, and let the Lord comfort and strengthen you, as only He can. He Knows, because He's been there! GP

Photo: Couleur /2084 images / Pixabay License / Free for commercial use / No attribution required / www.pixabay.com