³⁹ He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. ⁴⁰ When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” ⁴¹ Then he withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, knelt down, and prayed, ⁴² “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.” [[⁴³ Then an angel from heaven appeared to him and gave him strength. ⁴⁴ In his anguish he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat became like great drops of blood falling down on the ground.]] ⁴⁵ When he got up from prayer, he came to the disciples and found them sleeping because of grief, ⁴⁶ and he said to them, “Why are you sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” Luke 22:39-46

I preached these words in a sermon in May – it was a sermon on prayer.

Prayer – it can come so easily to us – it can be some of the most rewarding time that we spend each day of our lives, when we spend time in prayer with G-d – and it can be some of the most trying and difficult words that we seek.   But for many people, prayer is not the experience that they would hope that it could or would be…and they struggle with this aspect of their faith lives.   Pray – let the words stumble and mumble from your lips, praying in confidence that the One who came to bring repentance and forgiveness doesn’t care whether we are eloquent in our words, but simply seeks a relationship with us that begins with humble words, a  want and need to be in conversation, and a heart that understands that we are in need of a oneness that only the Father Son and Holy Spirit can give……thanks be to G-d.

Pastor Dave            

   “Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers;
² but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night. ³ They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. ⁴ The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away.⁵ Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ⁶ for the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.” Psalm 1:1-6

“Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and night.” Prayer and meditation are so important in keeping to a healthy relationship with G-d. There are so many different kinds and methods of meditation that are available to us today it just makes your head spin.

We need to take time not only to pray, but also to listen, really listen to the voice of G-d. We need to be intentional about carving out those times throughout our day to meditate and pray….day and night if possible, in your car, at the hairdresser, while getting the oil changed in your car. It is not possible to pray too much…..

Pastor Dave