praying effectively: Be Honest in Prayer (Mt.26:39-44, Mk.14:35-36, Lk.22:41-44)

(Luke 22:41-44)  And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, 42 saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” 43 Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground.

(Mark 14:35-36)  And He went a little beyond them, and fell to the ground and began to pray that if it were possible, the hour might pass Him by. 36 And He was saying, “Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will.”

(Matthew 26:39-44)  And He went a little beyond them, and fell on His face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; yet not as I will, but as You will.”

(Matthew 26:42)  He went away again a second time and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cannot pass away unless I drink it, Your will be done.” 

(Matthew 26:44)  And He left them again, and went away and prayed a third time, saying the same thing once more.

Reminder:  "praying effectively" involves knowing God's will.  When we pray in His will (in His name), He may choose to not answer those prayers in the time period that we would like, or HOW we would like - but He will answer those prayers!

It is God's will: that Jesus is our perfect example in being honest in prayers, and still being obedient to God's will (Mt.26:39, 42, 44, Mk.14:35-36, 39, Lk.22:42-44)

Today's prayer: 

Dear Lord Jesus, I am overwhelmed!  We cannot comprehend what You experienced.  Being holy and unable to have a relationship with anything sinful, You knew You were about to take on all our sins - for all people - of all time - whether we would accept or reject You. 

As You prayed the night before going to the cross, You already knew that the weight of all those sins, and the payment for all those sins, was going to be excruciating.  But You also knew that this was the only way to provide salvation - to conquer death.  You knew that the end result would bring us hope.  And it would bring eternal life to those who choose to believe in You.

Thank You!  Thank You for Your work on the cross, as well as for showing us how we can be honest in our prayers about all our struggles.  Like You, help us to desire God's will over our own comfort and our own will.  Amen.