KEY IDEA: To pray or to sleep? – Luke 22:39-46 (Key v45-46)

39 And he came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives, and the disciples followed him. 40 And when he came to the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” 41 And he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42 saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done.” 43 And there appeared to him an angel from heaven, strengthening him. 44 And being in agony he prayed more earnestly; and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45 And when he rose from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping for sorrow, 46 and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Rise and pray that you may not enter into temptation.”

— Luke 22:39-46

THE WEEKDAY DAILY PATTERN

  • Establish your quiet place. – Find a time and place as free of distraction as possible
  • Minute 1: Ask God to speak to you through His Word; this is a literal prayer request. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness. (2 Timothy 3:16) Audibly ask Him to remove Satan from your presence. – Resist the Devil and He will flee from you” (James 4:7) “Lead us not into temptation…” (Matthew 6:13) Ask Him to remove distractions and mental clutter; during this time, do not ask Him for anything else. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. (Colossians 3:2)
  • Minute 2: Listen to Him through His Word. Read the Scripture, hear what God has said.
  • Minutes 3-5: Pray the words of Scripture, focusing on the Key Idea, and asking Him for clarity.
  • Minutes 6-15: Read and answer the questions and close with the Every Day Prayer, as follows:
  1. Pray for yourself…
    1. …for forgiveness, today
    2. …to hear God’s voice, today
    3. …to respond to His calling, today
    4. …to be free from sin, today
    5. ….?
  2. Pray for others: Thank God for their very existence. Ask for opportunities to share Him with specific unbelievers. Ask to have your love for them increase.
    1. For anyone in the room with you right now
    2. For family (2 or 3 specific people)
    3. For 2 or 3 other specific significant people in your life
    4. To meet someone new with whom you can share the Gospel
    5. …?
  3. Pray for our church:
    1. For unified devotion to worship (Hebrews 12:28)
    2. For unified devotion to prayer, preaching of the Word, and fellowship (Acts 2:42)
    3. For unified devotion obeying the Great Commission (Matthew 28:16-20)
    4. That God would glorify Himself in and through our church (Ephesians 3:21)
    5. ….?