The Agony of Prayer

With his betrayer departed and ready to give him up, Jesus heads to a familiar place to pray. In the Garden of Gethsemane he cries out with severe intensity to his Father. As a man, Jesus anticipates the tremendous suffering he will bear for the sins of the world and he prays for such cup to pass from him. Yet, even as he prays this, he confesses, recognizes, and surrenders to the Father's will. He prays this way for his own self, but also for his disciples, whom he has called to pray fervently with him nearby. Though they fall into sleep, he sets the bar as to what submissive and faithful prayer in the face of trial should involve, for prayer is the way to find strength to withstand the hour of even the greatest temptation and trial. This is true for Jesus himself, as it is for all his disciples, including us.