At the Garden of Gethsemane, we are granted remarkable access into the intimate life of our Saviour as he approaches the cross. So many things can be learned, but how often have we turned to this passage in order to learn about prayer?
Jesus’ recorded words are very few, but there is a wealth of instruction within them and their context on how we ought to petition God. One of the most important elements of true prayer is something that is often overlooked, and yet is exemplified by Jesus here: helplessness in prayer.
It is almost shocking to consider how weak and needy Jesus is at this point. As his awareness of what the cross demands of him looms large in his thoughts, he describes himself as being overwhelmed with sorrow ‘even to death’ (Matthew 26:38).
