Jesus’ Prayer in the midst of Struggle Jesus’ Prayer in the midst of Struggle

Luke 22: 39-46 Luke 22: 39-46

I. INTRODUCTION I. INTRODUCTION
When struggles come, how do you usually respond? When struggles come, how do you usually respond?

II. BODY II. BODY

A. Four Scenes of Struggle A. Four Scenes of Struggle
1. The Summons (vv. 39-40) 1. The Summons (vv. 39-40)
Place: Place:
Time: Time:
Characters: Characters:

What was Satan’s temptation for the apostles? What was Satan’s temptation for the apostles?

What’s the difference between testing and temptation? What’s the difference between testing and temptation?

Research: John Piper’s strategy against lust-- ANTHEM Research: John Piper’s strategy against lust-- ANTHEM

2. The Struggle and Surrender (vv. 41-42) 2. The Struggle and Surrender (vv. 41-42)
Why did Jesus seclude Himself when praying? Why did Jesus seclude Himself when praying?

What does Jesus’ position in prayer imply? What does Jesus’ position in prayer imply?

“The most genuine surrenders come after the greatest struggles.” “The most genuine surrenders come after the greatest struggles.”

What does Jesus’ prayer in v. 42 mean? What does Jesus’ prayer in v. 42 mean?

What was the cup of suffering that Jesus was struggling with? What was the cup of suffering that Jesus was struggling with?

3. The Strengthening amid Suffering (vv. 43-44) 3. The Strengthening amid Suffering (vv. 43-44)
What did the angel signify? What did the angel signify?

“God's response was not to remove the trial but to enable Jesus to “God's response was not to remove the trial but to enable Jesus to
withstand the trial” withstand the trial”
 Why did Jesus pray more earnestly in the midst of His agony?
Why did Jesus pray more earnestly in the midst of His agony?

“God's presence, not the removal of the agony/trial gave Him

peace” “God's presence, not the removal of the agony/trial gave Him
peace”
4. The Scolding of the Apostles (vv. 45-46)
How did Jesus and the apostles differ in their response to their struggles? 4. The Scolding of the Apostles (vv. 45-46)
How did Jesus and the apostles differ in their response to their struggles?

What do we learn from the example of prayerlessness?

What do we learn from the example of prayerlessness?

B. Three Truths of Prayer

1. Prayer as a weapon against temptation B. Three Truths of Prayer
How is prayer effective against temptation? 1. Prayer as a weapon against temptation
How is prayer effective against temptation?
2. Prayer as a sign of humility and submission
Why do we exhibit humility when we pray? 2. Prayer as a sign of humility and submission
Why do we exhibit humility when we pray?
3. Prayer brings comfort in suffering
When we pray will all our sufferings go away? 3. Prayer brings comfort in suffering
When we pray will all our sufferings go away?

III. CONCLUSION
III. CONCLUSION
Real prayer is communion with God, so that there will be common thoughts
between His mind and ours.  What is needed is for Him to fill our hearts with His Real prayer is communion with God, so that there will be common thoughts
thoughts, and then His desires will become our desires flowing back to Him. between His mind and ours.  What is needed is for Him to fill our hearts with His
(Arthur Pink) thoughts, and then His desires will become our desires flowing back to Him.
(Arthur Pink)
Sweet hour of prayer 
Sweet hour of prayer  Sweet hour of prayer 
That calls me from a world of care Sweet hour of prayer 
And bids me at my Father's throne  That calls me from a world of care
Make all my wants and wishes known  And bids me at my Father's throne 
In seasons of distress and grief  Make all my wants and wishes known 
My soul has often found relief  In seasons of distress and grief 
And oft escaped the tempter's snare  My soul has often found relief 
By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer And oft escaped the tempter's snare 
(William Walford) By Thy return, sweet hour of prayer
(William Walford)