In a daily devotional online recently we covered a passage from Luke 22 regarding Christ’s prayer in the Mount of Olives before His arrest.
Days later I’m still gleaning in the Luke 22 account of Jesus praying in agony with the knowledge of God’s will yet struggling with the desire to have it removed from Him. In His humanity, He is suffering, though He knows the reward that awaits, not only Himself but all humanity. As I have thought about Jesus being a stone’s throw away in prayer, even NOW, He is not praying for God’s will for Himself or His own strength to endure it. He has done that. It is finished. He is praying as an intercessor and advocate on my behalf…..That I will know and do God’s will. That suffering that I encounter will be borne with grace…..That I will have all strength and wisdom to endure and accomplish that which is before me daily.
I have been called by God at times to intercede for others…. for salvation, for justice in the world, for protection from evil, for their sanctification, for joy in living, for unity with others, that they will know the fierce and steadfast love of God. I know what that effort sometimes has required of me. I cannot even begin to imagine the depth of the Lord’s intercession for all the world, His heart’s desire for all humanity to hear, know, understand, and receive the gift of the Gospel- of His life, teaching, death, resurrection, Holy Spirit anointing, and ascension on our behalf! And knowing He has entrusted much of the work to laborers, like myself, who often sleep on the job.
I can recall two explicit times when I was with other people as we were engaged in prayer. As time passed, I myself not only dozed off but I snored, as well. Both times I was functioning in a state of sleep deprivation. I could only trust that God knew both the desire of my heart and the weakness of my body.
I heard someone give comfort to another who admitted falling asleep at night while praying. He replied, “How do you, as a parent, feel when your child falls asleep in your arms?” I know my child feels safe, comforted, loved, and that someone strong is awake and able to guard and protect her. Perhaps that is how God views our weakness, with understanding, mercy, and love.(11/11/25. CBB)