Praying In Agony

Sometimes things happen in life that leaves us in agony. We become distant. We look for the answers to the problems we are facing, but we can’t find them. We worry about it, but what good is that? It only brings more sorrow. So, what do we do? The answer is this; we pray.

Let’s look at what Jesus did in Luke Chapter 22. vs. 39-46: The Prayer in the Garden (Holy Bible pg. 729.)

(vs.39.) Coming out. He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him.

(vs.40.) When He came to the place, He said to them,” Pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

(vs.41.) Abe He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed.

(vs.42.) Saying, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours be done”.

(vs.43.) Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.

(vs.44.) And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.

(vs.45.) When He rose up from prayer, and come to His disciples, He found them sleeping from sorrow.

(vs.46) Then He said to them, “Why do you sleep? Rise and pray lest you enter into temptation.”

Jesus knew that His hour was coming to complete the work His Father sent Him to do. It was hard for the disciples to understand Jesus had to do this so that the Scriptures may be fulfilled. He knew that He was going to suffer greatly. He knew that He was going to be denied, and betrayed all in one night. He knew who believed what He told them, and He knew who was going to doubt what He said to them about being raised on the third day.

Jesus was in agony, but He prayed. He did not let the situation stop Him from praying to the Father. God knew that His Son was in agony; this is why He sent the angel from heaven to strengthen Him.

Sometimes when we are weak because of things that have happened to us, we try to pray but we don’t have the strength. So, we ask God to give us the strength we need to pray through what we are feeling in spite of the situation we are in. Sorrow comes to everyone everywhere, there’s no escaping it.

I know that when someone you love betrays you, it hurts more than anything. We never expect that to happen to us, just as the other disciples must have been hurt when they knew it was Judas Iscariot who betrayed Jesus. It hurt Jesus when Peter denied Him three times even though He knew He was going to do it, and told Peter that He would. See, Jesus knows everything about us. He knew everything about the disciples He chose; He knew how they were, where they came from, and their occupations, but He still used them to change the world.

We can’t let our circumstances keep us from going to the Father in prayer. We have to overlook that because God knows everything that we will ever go through, everything we will ever face, and every situation that will knock us off balance, but we must remember that He is always there for us. The disciples were with Him in the Garden, but they were sleeping because of the sorrow of the heart. Jesus needed them to watch while He prayed, but temptation came and they went to sleep. Jesus had to wake them up and tell them to pray lest they fell into temptation. He had already told them what was about to happen; He needed them, but for that split second, they slept.

Instead of going to God in prayer when we are angry, we go to sleep. When we go to sleep in agony or anger, that’s when the enemy will invade our thoughts. It’s when He will give us nightmares, and put negative thoughts in our minds. We don’t know what’s going on. We wake up madder than we were before we went to sleep. This is why we shouldn’t go to sleep angry, or when we are in agony.

When we talk to God about our problems it makes us feel better. It helps us to know God has everything in control. We don’t have to worry about anything.

When the disciples finally knew that Jesus had risen when Mary Magdalene told them, and Peter and John ran to the tomb to see. Thomas was the only one who didn’t believe it. How could he not believe it without seeing Jesus? Jesus told them what was going to happen. You know, we can be like that at times; not believing something until we see it. We should use our faith. Faith is knowing that something is going to happen before it does. It is trusting that God will make it happen.

Thomas had a doubting spirit about him. This tells me that he didn’t believe the things that Jesus said, he only believed what he saw. He only believed that Jesus had risen when He appeared in the room when they all were together. We all know what Jesus said to Thomas. What if that same thing happened today? How would you react? Would you be shocked? Would you be speechless, or would you faint? This is something to think about. Let us always be believing instead of doubting like Thomas.

I have enjoyed sharing this message with you today. I hope you are inspired by it. When you are feeling doubtful and unsure of what you believe, go to God in prayer and ask Him to give you wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Ask Him to make things clear to you. Ask Him to teach you through His Word. He can and will. Seek Him with all of your heart, soul, mind, and strength. He will teach you everything you need and want to know.

If you have not talked to God today, set aside some time and spend that time with Him pouring your heart out to Him. If you do not know Jesus as your LORD and Savior, go to God in prayer and repent of your sins. Repent means to turn. Tell Him that you are sorry for every wrong thing you have done in your life, every mistake you have made, and He will forgive you. From this day forward accept Jesus as your LORD and Savior and live your life solely for Him. It will be the best decision you will ever make in your life for your eternal life. God loves you. It doesn’t matter where you have been; what matters is where you are going from here. You are not defined by your past. God sees you for who you are in His Son, Jesus Christ. He will give you a new life in Him. He will take you places you have never been. He will open doors that no man can shut. He will make a way for you where there seems to be no way. Trust in Him, believe in Him, Honor Him, and give Him praise! He is worthy of all our praise! Amen!

Thank you for joining me on my journey with Food for the Soul. God bless you.