Matthew 26:39-40 – Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will." Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.

Did you hear about the little girl who had been taught the importance of prayer? She also had been instructed how to pray each night prior to jumping into bed. Often she would be sleepy and it was difficult for her to think of something to say. So she wrote out a prayer which she would read each night.

After a few nights she discovered herself so sleepy she could hardly read through the prayer. Finally she hit upon a wonderful idea. She taped the written prayer to the wall by her bed and then each night she would say, "There it is, God. I'm sleepy so please read it yourself!"

Many of us are more like this little girl than we are willing to admit. Not so with Jesus. He knew and understood the power and value of prayer. He did not sleep, but admonished the disciples who had fallen asleep. He knew what it was to spend all night in agonizing prayer.

As Jesus faced the realities of the cross, it is interesting that the action Jesus chose was prayer. He went to His favourite prayer spot. He took disciples with Him, but He wrestled alone when it came to the final decision. I believe that the victory on Calvary was achieved in the garden. The final act took place on the hill, but the victory took place on His knees. He gave Himself to prayer that He might give Himself to all of us.

The victory you desire will be won on the inside if you keep in the right relationship with the Father.

Prayer: Give me a desire, O Lord, to give my best to prayer. May I not run away from my problems, Father, but face them with prayer. Amen.

(From The Ministry of the Master ©1986 by Donald Bartow. Used by permission.)

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