In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught His disciples to pray by offering them the now familiar words: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name … ” In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus taught His disciples to pray by offering them a front-row seat to His own experience. He invited Peter, James and John to watch with Him while He poured His heart out to the Father.
Read together Matthew 26:36-46 twice, slowly.
Is there a word or phrase that you are drawn to in this passage? Share the word or phrase, and share what is meaningful to you about it.
What can we learn about prayer by watching Jesus in the garden? What do you notice as you witness His example?
As you may have read in the Solitude Guide earlier, “The Romans had divided the night into four ‘watches’ when Roman soldiers would stand guard in a world without ambient light, night vision technology or the ability to call 911. Darkness was a time of vulnerability, when soldiers stood at attention and on high alert, scanning the night sounds for danger. The Jewish people had likewise divided the night into three watches, and besides keeping an eye and ear out for danger, the Israelites laid on their beds and longed for God.
“‘On my bed, I remember you,’ David said in Psalm 63. ‘I think of you through the watches of the night.’ In Psalm 119 he added, ‘My eyes stay open through the watches of the night, that I might meditate upon your promises.’ Then in Lamentations 2:19 we read words that may have been on the heart and mind of Jesus as He entered into the garden: ‘Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the LORD.’”
Young people today live in a world shrouded in darkness, even when the skies are clear and the sun is shining brightly. We have the opportunity to follow Jesus into that darkness. We have a standing invitation to keep watch with Him and pray.
As we enter into this time of intercession, it can be tempting to let the darkness discourage us or overwhelm us. Let’s begin, then, by remembering who God is (Psalm 63:6), and meditating upon His promises (Psalm 119:148). Then let’s pour out our hearts to God, following Jesus’ example in the garden.
REMEMBERING WHO GOD IS
Here are a few verses to encourage us as we pray:
1 John 1:5; Isaiah 40:28; Psalm 116:5; Isaiah 61:1-3; John 10:14-15; Psalm 86:15; Revelation 21:5-7.
MEDITATING UPON HIS PROMISES
Here are a few promises to undergird our intercession:
John 15:7; Matthew 7:7-11; Romans 8:26-28; Job 42:2; Jeremiah 29:11; Isaiah 40:31;
Ephesians 3:20-21.
POURING OUT OUR HEARTS LIKE JESUS
Remembering who God is; remembering His many promises; and considering the example of Jesus in the garden, let’s pour out our hearts on behalf of the ministry of Young Life. Let’s pray for:
- Kids who do not yet know Jesus: the ones we have met and the ones we haven’t
- Kids who are seeking to follow Jesus in a difficult world
- The families of kids in this community: for deliverance, healing and hope
- Young Life leaders: the ones we have and the ones we pray God is raising up
- Those who support Young Life financially in this community
- Our local committee
- The local staff
- The leadership of Young Life above the local area: the regional director; the senior vice president; the president and his team.
Let’s pray for:
• Kids who are physically hungry, thirsty or in need of basic provisions like shelter or clothing. (Psalm 12:5; Psalm 113:7-8)
• Kids who are sick in body or sick at heart; for kids who are “homesick” for the Father’s house, and may not even know it. (Matthew 14:13-14; Psalm 34:18; John 1:11-13)
• Kids who are feeling like a stranger, forgotten, abandoned or like they simply do not belong. (Psalm 139:13-18; Isaiah 49:15-16)
• Kids who are in prison, whether behind bars made of steel or bars made of fear, self-rejection, addiction or other realities that keep them from experiencing the generous freedom Jesus offers. (2 Corinthians 3:17; Luke 4:16-21)
OFFERING OUR PRAISE
We began this day keeping company with Jesus as He poured out His heart to the Father in a garden. Let’s end this day remembering that the Father was faithful to the Son. He did not abandon Jesus, but raised Him from the dead. In between the Garden of Gethsemane and the empty tomb, we witness the fruit of authentic prayer: freedom. Jesus was able to freely entrust Himself to the Father, come what may.
May we become more like Jesus. As we prepare for the Lenten season, let’s keep watch with Him as we wait for God’s faithful deliverance, as we trust that He has heard our heart-felt cry. In closing, read these words from Psalm 116:1-7 together as an offering of thanksgiving and praise:
“I love the LORD, for He heard my voice; He heard my cry for mercy.
Because He turned His ear to me, I will call on Him as long as I live.
The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me;
I was overcome by distress and sorrow.
Then I called on the name of the LORD: ‘LORD, save me!’
The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.
The LORD protects the unwary; when I was brought low, He saved me.
Return to your rest, my soul, for the LORD has been good to you.”
— Psalm 116:1-7
Thank you for interceding with this mission on this Global Day of Prayer.