Not My Will, but Yours (Mark 14:32-42)

They went to a place called Gethsemane, and Jesus said to his disciples, "Sit here while I pray." (Mark 14:32)

Jesus was getting ready to face the most difficult day of his entire life.  He would face his accusers, be beaten, have a crown of thorns put on his head, carry his own cross, then have spikes driven into his hands and feet.  What did he do to prepare?  He prayed.

He took Peter, James and John along with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." (Mark 14:33-36)

Once again, Jesus shows us the most important purpose of prayer.  He adjusts his will to match The Father.  He prepares himself for his part of The Father's plan.  He needs to go to his death.  Had he not gone through with this moment, we would not have been saved.  I don't know about you, but I'm very grateful that he did.  Jesus died so that you and I may live.

Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Simon," he said to Peter, "are you asleep? Couldn't you keep watch for one hour? Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak." (Mark 14:37-38)

Jesus prayed because he was being tempted to walk away from The Father's plan.  He encouraged Peter to pray because he was going to be tempted that night, too.  Peter was going to be tempted to "live by the sword" and stop Jesus from doing The Father's will.  Peter was also going to be tempted to run away when the crowd took Jesus away.  Finally, Peter was going to be tempted to deny he even knew Jesus...three times.  Peter ends up giving into these temptations.  Peter didn't prepare for this night.  Peter didn't pray.

Once more he went away and prayed the same thing. When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. They did not know what to say to him. Returning the third time, he said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The hour has come. Look, the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!" (Mark 14:39-42)

Sometimes it takes quite a struggle to prepare for what God has in store for you.  Sometimes the struggle is with God - not figuring out His Will.  Sometimes the struggle is with yourself - not wanting to do His will.  Either way, we prepare for and live out these struggles in prayer.

How about you?  Do you learn God's will in times of prayer?  Do you struggle with God or yourself in times of prayer?  Do you prepare to live out God's plan for your life in times of prayer?