Then they came to a place named Gethsemane, and he told his disciples, “Sit here while I pray.” He took Peter, James, and John with him, and he began to be deeply distressed and troubled. He said to them, “I am deeply grieved to the point of death. Remain here and stay awake.” He went a little farther, fell to the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, “ Abba , Father! All things are possible for you. Take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, not what I will, but what you will.” Then he came and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Simon, are you sleeping? Couldn’t you stay awake one hour? Stay awake and pray so that you won’t enter into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Once again he went away and prayed, saying the same thing. And again he came and found them sleeping, because they could not keep their eyes open. They did not know what to say to him. Then he came a third time and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The time has come. See, the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Get up; let’s go. See, my betrayer is near.” While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the Twelve, suddenly arrived. With him was a mob, with swords and clubs, from the chief priests, the scribes, and the elders.
Mark 14:32-43
But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.”
2 Corinthians 12:9
Describe the current state of your prayer life. When and where do you typically prayer? What kinds of things do you pray for / about? Are you typically alone when you pray, or do you pray more often with others? How would you like to grow in this area of your life?
In Mark 14:33-34 it says Jesus was “deeply distressed and troubled” and “deeply grieved.” Have you ever felt those emotions? How does Jesus respond? (*note that He invites His friends to help, and calls out to His Father in prayer*) Why is it significant to know that Jesus dealt with similar struggles to the ones we face?
Consider the key parts of the prayer of Jesus in Mark 14:36: 1) I know that you can do anything 2) This is what I want 3) I trust You 4) Do what You want. Why is it difficult to pray this way?
Jesus prays three times for God to “take this cup away” from Him, and God says “no.” Have you ever had that experience? How did you respond?
Take some time to pray as a Life Group. Do your best to identify what’s really going on in your heart, and if you’re comfortable share that with the others in your group. Then ask God for His presence, His power, His grace, His comfort.
