Matthew 26:36 At that time Jesus went with His disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and He told them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” … 41 “Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

When it comes to fulfilling our responsibilities to God, we’re often like Peter, James & John, who fell asleep at Gethsemane while Christ went to pray to His Father on the night of His betrayal. I have this problem almost every night, I start praying, then shortly after commencing, my mind wanders off, and I realise my thoughts have moved to other matters, so I have to re-focus and continue from before I deviated. The weakness of the flesh would be the eternal demise of man, if it weren’t for the sovereignty of God. But Jesus was at no loss because of His disciple’s failure to watch and pray, He was focused on what may be described as, an inconceivably grievous responsibility; Although I don’t believe men’s words can represent the extent of Jesus’ grief, neither could we fathom the depths of it if He were to describe it thoroughly; Even as He expressed it as causing Him to be “exceedingly sorrowful, even to death“, considering that the price of one persons sin can’t be paid for by any length of time in the lake of fire, we can only begin to imagine what He suffered to bear the sins of the many He redeemed from eternal suffering; yet still at the time of considering the pending task at Calvary after His sweat become as great drops of blood, He graciously and lovingly directed the disciples to keep from the temptations of the flesh, by warning them to watch for the weaknesses that lead to sin, and to keep praying, so that they/we would benefit from fellowship with God the Father, who strengthens us against the development of the flesh’s desires.

Physical strength doesn’t come in a sealed packet or a bottle, it comes through exercising muscles to cause them to tear, and subsequently the body builds more muscle fibre as it repairs those tears over the following days. Our relationship with God develops when we discipline ourselves to mediate on His Word, and also during our experiencing adversities while being yoked to Christ, walking in communion with Him, praying at every opportunity, submitting our plans, requests, thanks and praise to God.

Daniel’s a great example of commitment to the self discipline of regular prayer, he set three specific times each day to be before God on His knees; morning, midday, and evening, he knew where his strength was. Growth is dependant on self discipline, in making straight paths for my feet, putting off the desires of the natural being, and intentionally prioritising communication with God.

With humans, when there’s an occasion of a “near death” experience, it can be the catalyst for a review of direction, or a substantial “life changing” re-prioritising of daily commitments. Adversity is known to draw people to prayer, but Jesus never fluctuated in His communication with His Father, and He never “turned over a new leaf”, He was committed to the Father’s will throughout His whole life. The first recorded observation of His activity in His Father’s kingdom, may have been when He was in the temple…

At just 12 years of age, while Joseph and Mary were walking home with their family, Jesus wasn’t walking with them, or playing with His brothers James, Joseph, Judas or Simon, or His sisters (ref. Matthew 13:55&56); No, He was in the temple for approximately 5 days, sitting among the teachers of the Jewish religion, listening, asking and answering questions. What did He say over those days? We do know this, at the age of 12, “all that heard him were astonished at his understanding and answers.“.

Christ’s ability to engage in discussion on Spiritual truths with the Jewish teachers, is an example of the fruit which comes from a person who’s living in intimate communion with God the Father. Moses was spoken to by God face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. God desires that we have more communication with Him, for our benefit. Meditating on His Word, praying to Him throughout the day. When the shadow of temptation darkens the ground before you, lift your eyes to Christ and your thoughts to God’s kingdom, then you’ll find you’ve passed by the shadow; so thank Him that you have light on your path again, and continue asking for His guidance.

Don’t expect adversity to disappear every time you pray, but trust that God is already working in the adversity, and rest in the fact that although He hears your prayer, He may be answering it in a different way to your expectations, as His ways & thoughts are higher than ours.

Prayer is to say the least; a gracious provision from God; The kindness of God toward mankind is beyond measure, His strength is eternally greater than our weakness, and through Christ Jesus, God has not only granted communication with The Father in prayer, but has instructed us to continue in it always: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Through prayer we’re able to confess to salvation, the belief of our heart, that “Jesus is Lord“, to the glory of God the Father; and from that time on, prayer is the means of the Saint’s expression of thought and word in appreciation of Him; of our compassion for fellow man; of our desire to be made more like Christ; and the means of our requesting help from God.

(Morrish Dictionary):
Prayer has been described as ‘the intercourse of a dependent one with God.’ It may take the form of communion in one brought near, or it may be the making requests for oneself or for others. There are twelve different words used for prayer in the O.T., and eight in the N.T., with various shades of meaning, as there are in English: ‘asking, begging, beseeching,’ etc. In the synoptic Gospels (Matthew, Mark & Luke) the word used in connection with Christ is that most commonly employed for “praying,” but in John’s gospel the word is that generally rendered, ‘ask’ or, ‘demand.’ The change is explained by the different aspect in which the Lord is presented in John.

God hears and encourages prayer. A cry to God is the mark of a soul truly turning to Him: “Behold, he prays,” was said of Saul of Tarsus. Acts 9:11. To the saints it is said, “Pray without ceasing;” “ask and you shall receive.” “If we ask anything according to his will he hears us, and . . . . we know that we have the petitions.” “All things whatsoever you shall ask in prayer believing you shall receive.” “Whatsoever you shall ask the Father in my name, he will give it you.” The disciples as left here, representative of Christ and charged with His interests, were to ask in His name; and the same is true in principle as regards believers now. Mark 11:24; John 14:13; John 15:16; John 16:23, 26; James 1:5-7; 1 John 5:14, 15. Christians are exhorted to make known all their petitions, or requests, to God, and having done so, the peace of God shall keep their hearts and minds. Phil. 4:6, 7. This is their wondrous privilege: they have addressed God, and in peace they leave it with Him to grant their petitions or not.

The above passages demonstrate that to receive what is prayed for, requests must be in faith, they must be according to the light of God’s will, and so made in the name of the Lord Jesus. While prayer is always to God, it is suggested that requests would naturally be made to the Father in respect of all that tends to the promotion of Christ in believers, as well as in things referring to their discipline in the pathway here. On the other hand prayer would be made to the Lord in relation to that over which He is set as administrator, such as the service of the gospel, the saints, the house of God, etc.

The attitudes in prayer which are recorded are:
‘standing,’ 1 Sam. 1:26; Mark 11:25 ;
‘kneeling,’ Dan. 6:10; Luke 22:41; and
‘falling down,’ Deut. 9:25; Joshua 7:6 .

1 John 5:16 “if anyone sees his brother…”; Prayer is opportunity to exercise love, its the responsibility of the Saints to wash each other’s feet, to be concerned for a brother who’s strayed from the path of righteousness. When the Lord asked Cain where his brother was, he replied “am I my brother’s keeper?”, this was a response contrary to the character of Christ who leaves the 99 sheep to go find one lost.
Love works selflessly in humility to bring back a brother from the error of His way, and in doing so the act of love can save a soul from death and hide a multitude of sins. But the instruction in this verse, isn’t to go to the brother; it’s to pray for the brother, and God will give life to those who commit this kind of sin. “For it is God who works in you both to will and to do of [His] good pleasure.” Philippians 2:13;
God gave you occasion to see your brother sin & He tells you to pray for him to be restored to life, to the fullness of fellowship with God and His Saints, to be free from sin which makes its servants unprofitable to God’s kingdom.

Examples of prayer are given throughout scripture, to guide the children of God, and in His amazing patience and love to mankind, in them are revealed God’s mercy, power & love.
Matthew 6: 9-13
Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be your name.
10 Your kingdom come, Your will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.

So put on the new man, having been created according to God in righteousness and holiness of truth (Ephesians 4:24), watching and praying, that you don’t enter into temptation: because the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. (Matthew 26:41)

A hymn from John Newton:

1 Come, my soul, thy suit prepare,
Jesus loves to answer pray’r.
He Himself has bid thee pray,
rise and ask without delay.

2 Thou art coming to a King,
large petitions with thee bring,
for his grace and pow’r are such,
none can ever ask too much.

3 With my burden I begin,
Lord, remove this load of sin!
Let Thy blood, for sinners spilt,
set my conscience free from guilt.

4 Lord! I come to Thee for rest,
take possession of my breast;
there Thy blood-bought right maintain,
and without a rival reign.

5 While I am a pilgrim here,
let Thy love my spirit cheer;
as my Guide, my Guard, my Friend,
lead me to my journey’s end.

6 Show me what I have to do;
ev’ry hour my strength renew;
let me live a life of faith;
let me die thy peoples death.

Thanks to T Robertson for the picture, and another great bush-walk with fellowship! APOAug2019