38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going 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."
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
- P136
the garden of Gethsemane, Jesus takes Peter, James, and John apart with Him and asks the other disciples to wait while He prays. Jesus’ sorrow as He anticipates His death is so great that He needs His closest friends with Him to help share His grief. He prays to God in emotional devastation, expressing His anguish at what will happen to Him; yet at the same time, He expresses trust in God’s will for Him. Whether with joy or a heavy heart, we should express our feelings directly to God, honestly present our requests to Him, and be ready to yield to His will. Like Jesus, we can also ask close, trusted friends to be present with us as we pray in our hour of need.
- P138
Dear heavenly Father, You listen to me as I say this prayer. In my joy or in my pain, You hear me and are near me. You answer every time I ask for Your help. Please grant me what I desire only if it is what You desire. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P138
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