Yesterday my pastor, Steven Toole, preached what I felt like was one of the most incredible messages I’ve ever heard him preach since I’ve been at Revelation Church, which has been nine years.  That says quiet a bit, because he always finds a way to inspire when sharing the Word of God, and you can tell that being led by the Spirit of God as he shares the Word is a definite priority in his life.   In this message, which was the start of an Easter Series called A Journey to the Cross, he preached from the very familiar passage of scripture where Jesus found himself agonizing as He prayed in the Garden before he was seized at the hand of one of his own, Judas.

Although Pastor Steven brought out many great points dealing with this passage of scripture, there was one thing that really stood out to me, and that is the fact that Jesus, within just a few hours, found himself going back to pray what seems like the same prayer.  Take a look in Matthew 26…

³⁶  Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” ³⁹ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” ⁴⁰ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? ⁴¹  Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”⁴² Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” ⁴³ And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. ⁴⁵ Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Sleep and take your rest later on.  See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand.”

When we look at this, it reminds us of not only our need for prayer, but also the consistency needed with what we are praying for.  If Jesus, the Son of God felt the need to pray three different times about the same thing, how necessary is it for us to keep praying and believing about miracles that are needed within our own lives.

There is a book out called “The Circle Maker” that I cannot wait to read.  I actually ordered it today!  From what I understand, Mark Batterson shares about our need to pray consistent, bold prayers because these types of prayers honor God.  He also talks about how we need to learn the difference between praying “for” and praying “through.”  Needless to say, I am excited to delve into this book to see what I can learn and apply about prayer to my own life.

It just amazes me that when it comes down to it we have the perfect example in Jesus Christ!  So, what is it that you are believing God for in your life?  Are you consistent in praying and believing?  Do you feel like giving up on the need you have?  Whatever you do, do not stop praying!  As Mark Batterson says, “You are always one prayer away from a miracle!