Before cooking, you prepare ingredients. Before a battle, you prepare a battle plan. Before a test, you study. We know preparation matters. And sometimes you have to stop in the middle of something to prepare.
Remember the cliché—if you fail to plan, you plan to fail.
When Jesus faced the final hours of His life, He prepared with prayer. His disciples “prepared” a little differently:
“He began to be deeply distressed and horrified. Then He said to Peter, James, and John, ‘My soul is swallowed up in sorrow, even to the point of death. Keep watching and praying, that you may not enter into temptation.’ He went a stones’ throw away and prayed, ‘Abba, Father! All things are possible for You. Take this cup from me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done.’ Then He returned and found them sleeping. ‘Couldn’t you stay awake with Me for one hour? Keep watching and praying. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Then His soul was in anguish and He prayed again….” Mark 14:33-38.
The story goes on: Jesus was so stressed He sweat drops of blood. Three times He prayed for a way out, but three times He also said, “Not My will, but Thine be done.” And He was strengthened. PREPARED. When Judas arrived, Jesus spoke so boldly the men with torches fell to the ground (John 18:6). He remained bold and courageous throughout the ordeal.
But what about the disciples? What did they do after their nap? Peter attacked someone with a sword, for which he was rebuked by Jesus. The other disciples fled. The soldiers grabbed Mark but he twisted out of his clothes and ran away naked. Peter denied Christ three times. Judas hung himself. Thomas said he would never believe in a resurrection. All twelve experienced a massive FAIL. Because they were NOT PREPARED.
Follow Jesus’s example: Prepare by praying. And pray for God’s will—not yours.
Dear God, you know my needs and wants. I give them to You: NOT MY WILL, BUT THINE BE DONE.
ΑΩ
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