The Desert Prayer
KEY SCRIPTURE
1 As the deer pants for streams of water,
so my soul pants for you, my God.
2 My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.
When can I go and meet with God?
My tears have been my food
day and night,
while people say to me all day long,
“Where is your God?”
36 Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”
39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”
40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”
42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
PRAYER
Father,
This world can be painful, grueling, frustrating, and often disappointing. There are times when I feel like I just can’t take one more step, one more challenge. I cry out to you Jesus – Why?
Help me to remember that this difficult, sin filled world is not my home. You are my home. Your Kingdom is my home. Give me courage to live through the challenges this world brings, and fill my heart with the hope of your Kingdom come.
In Jesus’ holy name, Amen!