Part 1: Praying in the garden

Matthew 26:36 KJV "Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder."

The garden of Gethsemane was a site on Jerusalem’s Mount of Olives which overlooked the temple. It was thought to be near an oil press from there the name Gethsemane (“gat shemanim” in Hebrew) which means oil press.

As I read about the olive groves of Gethsemane, it reminded me of the school I went to in South Africa. It had olive groves in various places on the premises. At times we assisted to harvest the olives from the trees, which then was sold and provided the school with additional income. Coincidently, the school was also on a hill.

Have you ever visited an olive grove?

Reading about this specific time that Jesus went to Gethsemane to pray, just before his betrayal by Judas, there is so much to learn from Him. I pray that you will have a new revelation about what total submission means and that this will encourage you in your daily walk with Jesus.

Let’s have a look:

A habit of payer

In Luke 22:39 it says that Jesus “came out, and went, as he was wont, to the Mount of Olives” (KJV). Other translations use the word habit. Jesus had a habit of going to pray. Prayer is essential in our daily walk. It is the time that we talk to God intentionally. It should be part of our daily schedule. In prayer we not only unburden ourselves, but we also posture ourselves to hear from God. It is a time in which we give thanks and praise. A time we cannot go without.

Have you developed a daily habit of prayer?

Being honest with God

When Jesus prayed, he didn’t try to hide his anguish from God. He came to him honestly, yet submissively. We don’t need to hide anything from God. We need to trust in him because he cares for us deeply (1 Peter 5:7).

What challenges are you facing that you can have an honest conversation with God about?

Fully submitting

Jesus knew of the suffering that he would have to endure for our sake. He didn’t hide from God in that moment, but chose to submit to God’s will, even if it meant that he should suffer on the cross. In response, God sent an angel to strengthen him. God won’t always let our suffering disappear, but he will always give us the strength to endure.

Can you recall the times that God strengthened you? Write them down and thank God.

Thinking of those with him

Three disciples went with Jesus. He said to them to also pray so that they won’t be overcome by temptation (Matthew 26:36-37). Yet they fell asleep. Jesus awoke them and reminded them to keep on praying. We mustn’t neglect those in our care. Praying for our fellow believers and encouraging them to keep seeking God is crucial.

Who can you pray for today? Write down any names the Holy Spirit reveals and commit to praying for them daily.

Continual prayer

After Jesus submitted to God’s will, he didn’t stop praying. He continued. Our help comes from God. At times our suffering is severe. As we keep on connecting with God, our strength is renewed. Through the Holy Spirit we are guided along the ways we should go. We might feel alone at times, but as we push through, we take to heart Jesus’s words that he will never leave us nor forsake us.

Read Luke 22:39 – 53.

May you have a new revelation of God’s love for you and Jesus’s sacrifice on the cross that has set you free.

Part 2 of the series we will continue to learn from Jesus and see how we can become more like him.

Ephesians 3:14 - 19

Catherina