"[Jesus] withdrew about a stone’s throw beyond [the disciples], knelt down and prayed, “Father, if You are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.” An angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. And being in anguish, He prayed more earnestly, and His sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground" (Luke 22:41-44).
Our Father in heaven, Lord over all, You declare of Yourself, "I am the Lord, and there is no other; apart from Me there is no God" (Isaiah 45:5). Often, when we do not understand Your plans, we react in confusion, and "obscure Your plans with words without knowledge." (Job 38:2). Forgive us.
In every circumstance, bring us like Job, to full acceptance and surrender, understanding that "no purpose of Yours can be thwarted" (Job 42:2). Help us to trust what Your word says of You, "He is the Rock, His works are perfect, and all His ways are just. A faithful God who does no wrong, upright and just is He" (Deuteronomy 32:4).
O how perfectly our Lord Jesus modeled surrender to Your plan and purpose! Even as His soul was troubled by the coming agony of the cross, He did not ask to be spared from the hour, but embraced Your will, seeking only the glory of Your Name: “Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save Me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour. Father, glorify Your name" (John 12:27).
Help us Father, when we come to our own "hour," to trust You fully. Help us to embrace Your will, for the glory of Your name. Help us not to have a small strength that "faints in the day of adversity." Help us not to "falter in a time of trouble" (Proverbs 24:10). Teach us to cry out to You as Jesus did. Help us to hand over to You the anguish of our souls.
We lift to You in prayer all those who are even now at "this hour". For each, the pain is so personal, so real, perhaps so overpowering! Lord, Lord, the compassionate God, You know the trouble that overwhelms each soul, even "to the point of death" (Mark 14:34). Some, like Job, feel lost in a slew of troubles, totally consumed by pain, unable to focus on anything but the "bad news" that "man is born to trouble as surely as sparks fly upward" (Job 5:7).
Remind us that You will never leave us or forsake us." (Hebrews 13:5). That when the journey is too much, You strengthen us with Your power. Thank You for those You send to minister—whether they are random strangers, professional agents, network contacts, the supporting body (Ephesians 4:16) or "ministering spirits" (Hebrews 1:14).
Strengthen and encourage hearts today through our prayers and our gestures of love, compassion, and kindness. Enable the hurting to say with conviction, "Father, glorify Your name; not my will but Yours be done."
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