Do I Need to Pray More Earnestly?

A Life Group Teaching by Pst Steve McKinney

Luke 22:39-46 (NIV)
39 “Jesus went out as usual to the Mount of Olives, and his disciples followed him. 40 On reaching the place, he said to them, “Pray that you will not fall into temptation.” 41 He withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed, 42 “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” 43 An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. 44 And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. 45 When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. 46 “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.”

1. Jesus went out to pray “as usual”
a. He had a habit of prayer which He drew on for this very important prayer right before His arrest, trial and crucifixion
b. When facing difficulties, it is important to have that special relationship of prayer well established

2. He instructed His disciples twice to pray so that they would not “fall into temptation”
a. This is important for us to remember… when we are being tempted, the most powerful thing we can do is pray
b. Jesus, just as on that day will speak to our hearts today and warn us when we should pray in anticipation of coming trials even when we don’t know they are coming

3. “He withdrew” and thereby set an example that sometimes we need to withdraw from the crowd and even from close friends so as to be isolated with God
a. But He also showed us that sometimes He will withdraw from us to a “stone’s throw” distance so that we will overcome things like our sleep and press in to prayer
i. If we can overcome in the spirit, this helps us to overcome in the physical

4. He prayed “not my will, but yours be done”
a. We have authority when we pray and even freedom to express our feelings, but we also must function in humility and respect as Jesus did

5. An angel of the Lord appeared and “strengthened him”
a. After being strengthened, Jesus was then able to Pray More Earnestly to the point that His sweat became like drops of blood
b. How do we get to the point that God will supernaturally strengthen us to pray even more earnestly?
i. You should already be praying
ii. You must pray according to God’s will and not your own demands
iii. Pray specifically for strength to pray more earnestly