ANCHOR DEVOTIONS (FEBRUARY 27, 2012)

Alone to Pray
Matthew 26:36-46

"Not to us, O Lord, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness. Why do the nations say, 'Where is their God?' Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him."
(Psalm 115:1-3)
Several years ago on a trip I was sitting alone on the Mount of Olives. "I'm praying here in the Garden of Gethsemane," I wrote in a journal. "The Muslim call to prayer is hauntingly broadcast over this great city of Jerusalem, traffic noise surrounding, but here I am in a quiet, holy place." What tender moments of worship those were. Though the loud city sounds were near, I was alone with Him.
Two thousand years before, Jesus was on that very hillside, hours away from facing the Cross. Scripture tells us He was deeply troubled. There are many places we may turn to at such a time, but Jesus turned to His Father. As His disciples slept just a stone's throw away, He prayed alone.
When our hearts are heavy, we can find our deepest peace in being alone with God. There, in that safe place, we pour out all our anguish, questions and fear, knowing He hears. Those are the tender moments when we are quiet enough to hear the Spirit whisper, "Our God is in heaven; he does whatever pleases him."
INSIGHT
"Alone" does not have to mean "lonely." It means God has our undivided attention. Listen as He speaks!
READ THROUGH THE BIBLE IN A YEAR
Deuteronomy 13-14
Psalm 86
Acts 9
Matthew 26:36-46
Matthew 26:36-46
New International Version (NIV)
Gethsemane
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, "Sit here while I go over there and pray." 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me." 39 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."
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. 41 "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak."
42 He went away a second time and prayed, "My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done."
43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.
45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, "Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!"