If Possible? : Mark 14:35 : What Jesus Did! : HEARTLIGHT®

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If Possible? - Mark 14:35

Jesus walked a little more away from them. Then Jesus fell to the ground and prayed. Jesus prayed that, if possible, he would not have this time of suffering. (ERV) Full Text

Key Thought

Jesus was honest in his prayers to the Father. He demonstrated his need both verbally and physically. Jesus shows us in this story what genuine prayer is all about. In these verses he shares his agony with the Father in humility and honesty. In the verses that follow, he offers himself to do whatever the Father wills and not just what is easiest. As we pray, we need to follow our Lord's example of genuine prayer -- honesty, humility, and submission. Not only did Jesus teach us to pray in his teaching on earth, he also demonstrated how to pray in his own personal walk with the Father.

Today's Prayer

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Dear Father, I come before you recognizing your majesty and my need. You are the glorious God of all creation, the Father of all peoples, and the Sovereign LORD of all nations. I come on my knees, dear Father, offering myself to you. Please use me in the ways that bring you glory and ensure that I am drawn ever closer to you in character and compassion. Please heal me of my infirmities -- both the physical ones and the spiritual ones. Bring yourself glory through my life. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

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Today's Verses in Context

Jesus and his followers went to a place named Gethsemane. Jesus said to the followers, "Sit here while I pray." Jesus told Peter, James, and John to come with him. Then Jesus began to be very troubled and full of sorrow. Jesus said to Peter, James, and John, "My soul is full of sorrow. My heart is breaking with sadness. Wait here and stay awake." Jesus walked a little more away from them. Then Jesus fell to the ground and prayed. Jesus prayed that, if possible, he would not have this time of suffering. Jesus prayed, "Abba, Father! You can do all things. Let me not have this cup {of suffering}. But do what you want, not what I want." Then Jesus went back to his followers. He found them sleeping. He said to Peter, "Simon, why are you sleeping? You could not stay awake with me for one hour? Stay awake and pray for strength against temptation. Your spirit wants to do what is right. But your body is weak." Again Jesus went away and prayed the same thing. Then Jesus went back to the followers. Again Jesus found them sleeping. Their eyes were very tired. The followers did not know what they should say to Jesus. After Jesus prayed a third time, he went back to his followers. Jesus said to them, "You are still sleeping and resting? That's enough! The time has come for the Son of Man to be given to sinful people. Stand up! We must go. Here comes the man who is giving me to those people."

— Mark 14:32-42 (ERV)

Comments on "If Possible?":

While Christ lived on earth he prayed to God and asked God for help. God is the One who could save him from death, and Jesus prayed to God with loud cries and tears. And God answered Jesus' prayers because Jesus was humble and did everything God wanted. Jesus was the Son of God. But Jesus suffered and learned to obey by the things that he suffered. Then Jesus was perfect. And Jesus is the reason that all those people who obey him can have salvation forever.
Hebrews 5:7-9 (ERV)

{Lord,} surely you see the cruel and evil things that bad people do. Look at those things, and do something! People with many troubles come to you for help. Lord, you are the One who helps orphans. {So help them!} {Lord,} destroy the evil people. Remove those people from your land! Lord, you heard what poor people want. Listen to their prayers and do what they ask! Lord, protect the children without parents. Don't let sad people suffer more troubles. Make bad people too afraid to stay here.
Psalm 10:14-18 (ERV)

But please listen to my prayer and my request. I am your servant, and you are the Lord my God. Hear this prayer that I am praying to you today.
1 Kings 8:28 (ERV)

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