CHRIST’S CULTURE OF PRAYER
And they came to a place which was named Gethsemane: and he saith to his disciples, Sit ye here, while I shall pray. (Mark 14:32)
On earth and in the garden, Jesus placed Himself in perfect prayer — dependance upon His Heavenly Father. Through this, Jesus demonstrated to us what a perfect prayer life should resemble.
In Christ’s prayer culture, He began every endeavor in prayer. Jesus prayed for forty days and forty nights before He began His public ministry. Before ordaining the twelve disciples, Jesus spent the night on a mountain in prayer. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus prayed before enduring the cross.
In Christ’s prayer culture, He always found a spot to pray. Jesus consistently and constantly separated Himself from the world to pray. Christ’s “prayer closet” in Jerusalem was the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus’ routine was to minister to the people by day and pray to the Father at night.
And in the day time, he was teaching in the temple; and at night he went out, and abode in the mount that is called the mount of Olives. And all the people came early in the morning to him in the temple, for to hear him. (Luke 21:37-38)
And he came out, and went, as he was wont (“wont” – His custom, culture, or habit), to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. (Luke 22:39)
In Christ’s prayer culture, He was predictable. The night of Christ’s betrayal, Judas knew right where to lead the Roman soldiers. Jesus would be in the Garden of Gethsemane, “the garden of prayer.”
CHRIST’S CAUSE FOR PRAYER
Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. (Luke 22:42-43)
Christ was driven to prayer in the garden by the coming agony of the cross. We might bear the agony of a sinner, but Christ bore the agony of a Saviour. Jesus would be the perfect substitutionary Saviour. Jesus would become sin on our behalf. Christ would bare our sin on the cross. Jesus took the cup of God’s wrath for us. (Is. 53:6; II Cor. 5:21).
“…began to be sorrowful and very heavy.” (Matt. 26:37)
“…began to be sore amazed, and to be very heavy;” (Mark 14:33)
Christ would pour out his heavy burden to His Father in prayer. The Lord Jesus Christ’s “cup” was not removed by prayer, but rather, He received strength to drink His cup for us. The prayer of agony became the prayer of strength. Christ was given strength from heaven to bear His cross. Jesus won the victory in prayer and so should we. (Luke 22:44; Phil. 2).
“And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.” (Luke 22:43)
We too must trade our heavy burdens for God’s strength. In prayer, we die to self. In prayer we win the victory over ourselves saying, “Father not my will but thine be done.”
Have we trials and temptations?
Is there trouble anywhere?
We should never be discouraged,
Take it to the Lord in prayer.
Are we weak and heavy-laden,
Cumbered with a load of care?
Precious Savior, still our refuge—
Take it to the Lord in prayer;
CHRIST’S COMMAND FOR PRAYER
Jesus included His disciples in His prayer life by commanding them to, “watch and pray!”
“…tarry ye here, and watch.” (Mark 14:34)
“And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter, Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is weak.” (Mark 14:37-38)
Jesus woke Peter, James, and John up three separate times and reminded them to “watch and pray!” The disciples were in danger. They were under spiritual attack. Satan was attempting to “sift Simon like wheat,” (Luke 22:31)
The Lord is still saying to disciples “wake up and pray!” Disciples should be reminding one another in the Spirit of Christ, “wake up and pray!” Prayer is our Lord’s command.