Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Am I Asleep?



Photo Credit: Image Base

32 Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” 33 And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34 Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
35 He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. 36 And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
37 Then He came and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch one hour? 38 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
39 Again He went away and prayed, and spoke the same words. 40 And when He returned, He found them asleep again, for their eyes were heavy; and they did not know what to answer Him.
41 Then He came the third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? It is enough! The hour has come; behold, the Son of Man is being betrayed into the hands of sinners. 42 Rise, let us be going. See, My betrayer is at hand.” (Mark 14:32-42 NKJV)

 43 Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. 44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. (Luke 22:43-44 NKJV)

In the above passages Jesus longed for His disciples to stand watch and pray. He knew what lie ahead and He was deeply distressed, even to the point His sweat became like great drops of blood. The angles ministered to Him and he was deep in prayer with the Father, yet He desired His disciples to stand watch and pray. What happened? Three times Jesus found them sleeping.

There are many times we need our brothers and sisters in the Lord to stand with us and pray for us. During our darkest hours, it is most comforting to know someone is there. Jesus being God desired it, how much more do we need it? As Jesus cried out to the Father, so should we. However, God did not intend for us go through our trials alone. He works through us to help and comfort others.

A question we should all ask of ourselves, “is someone I know going through a trying time and reaching out, yet I am asleep?”

Another question, “are we hurting and too proud to make someone aware?”


16 comments:

  1. Ken, This is a a good word. People need each other! I love that old song, "Somebody's Praying for Me"!

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  2. We need to always be on the alert to others around us!

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  3. Thank you Karen and Allison for visiting my blog and leaving your comments. I pray you have a blessed day,
    Ken

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  4. "Jesus being God desired it, how much more do we need it? "
    So true, Ken. We all need each other.
    Blessings to you, brother.

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  5. This is the second blog I read today about us needing each other. Your words are really powerful. I don't want to be too prideful to ask for help or too tired to give help.

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  6. Hi Ken,
    Very thought provoking!

    I am sure that when we get to heaven we will then realize the power in prayer that was and is at our fingertips, so to speak.

    I only wish that we could know now exactly what we have.

    Blessings,
    <><

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  7. Thank you Valisi, Lisa and Child of God for visiting my blog and your comments.
    May God bless you,
    Ken

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  8. The mark of the true believer is reaching out to those in need, even if our resources are limited. (Luke 6:38)

    I am a friend of Jon Clayton, so I will be nosing around your blog from time to time. :)

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  9. Ken, thank you for visiting my blog the other day and your wonderful comments! Thank you for this inspirational word....I will be back :-) Lori

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  10. This post is so beautiful Ken. You are right when you said we need others to lift us up - indeed Jesus even though He was God, wanted His three friends to be with Him in prayer at the last few hours of His life... how much more we?

    Your last question is striking - many times we are too proud to share what is really going on in our lives...

    On blogland I have found the kind support that is so uplifting and encouraging. Prayer is also willingly made for those in need. I never expected that kind of friendship when I was just starting out as an amateur blogger three years ago. Blog friendships can be a big boost to our spiritual growth.

    Blessings
    Lidj

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  11. Great word, Ken. This really brought it home to me. I might not be totally asleep, but I do get drowsy, aka spiritually lazy. Thanks so much, brother!

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  12. @Randall Slack- I am glad you stopped by my blog and feel free to stop in anytime. I enjoyed my visits to your blog and it is good to meet you.

    @Lori- Thank you and you are welcome to come back and visit my blog anytime. I enjoyed visiting your blog and I will also be back. It is nice to meet you.

    @Lidj- Thank you and I agree, it is a blessing making friends here in blogland. I did not know what to expect when I started blogging a few months back, but it is helping me grow in the Lord.

    @Emily- Thank you also and I hate to admit it, but I can also be "spiritually lazy" too. The Lord spoke to me in this also.

    I pray the Lord bless each of you,
    Ken

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  13. Thank you for this Ken, I was just reading it the other day. At this moment I have had a week of praying and supporting my son who has felt God has deserted him. I believe as Christians we can never fail. We are on earth with Him, or in Heaven with Him..either way, we are His.
    God Bless you. Crystal Mary

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  14. Great word, Ken.

    You have spoken such truth here. I have often asked the Lord to forgive me - I'm afraid I probably would have fallen asleep in Gethsemane. But, I don't want to do that. I want to always be *awake* to hear His voice. And I want to be keenly aware of other believers who might need my presence and my prayers. We are Jesus' hands and feet right now. We need to walk and meet the hurting, the lost, the despairing - just like He did.

    GOD BLESS!

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  15. @Crystal Mary- I will be praying for your son. So very true, either in heaven or on earth we are His and we can not fial.

    @Sharon- I too want to always be awake, but I know I am not always.

    Thank you for your comments and may God bless you,
    Ken

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  16. Hi Ken -

    Very interesting and quite good.

    Points to ponder...

    Thank you

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