Silence and Stillness before God (2 minutes)
Scripture
Then he returned to the disciples and found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you watch with me even one hour? Keep watch and pray, so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but the body is weak!” Then Jesus left them a second time and prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.” When he returned to them again, he found them sleeping, for they couldn’t keep their eyes open. So he went to pray a third time, saying the same things again.
Devotional
Alone in the Garden Jesus waters those ancient trees with His weeping. He did not want to be that alone. He invited the comfort of His closest friends to come deeper into the Garden and to rise up and serve Him as prayerful watchmen. Jesus requested their active support. And yet they slept on: an exhausted, sorrowful slumber. We know that Jesus’ presence is valuable to us, but we rarely consider the possibility that our presence is valuable to Him.
He woke the disciples only once to admonish them to not fall into temptation. When we are discouraged we are far more vulnerable to deception. Something terrible was about to happen and the hour of darkness was upon them. Sometimes we, like the disciples, have defaulted to our pillows instead of to prayer in the denial-laden hope that somehow all would be set right again when we open our eyes.
Question
What is Jesus calling you to stand guard, watch and pray for today?
Prayer
Jesus, keep me alert to hear Your voice and Your heart today. Let me not be weighed down by my own self-focused desires and petitions. I want to stand as a watchman on the wall to cry out for what is important to You. Thank you for trusting me with carrying this burden. Amen
Conclude with Silence (2 minutes)
The 40 days of decrease blogs have been inspired by the book “40 Days of Decrease” by Alicia Britt Chole.
Expressions from Summerside Community Church 