Read
Matthew 26:36-46
Consider
Where is your War Room in real life? Reading the passage about how Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane reminds me of the movie I watched several years ago, War Room. After watching the film with my children, the impact on them was astonishing. They both cleaned out the closet to make some sitting space and started to write prayer letters to God there. I soon saw pages and pages of prayers sticking on the walls inside the closet. That was what happened in the movie. War Room is a place where someone uses prayers as a weapon for spiritual warfare. Unfortunately, many believers are like Jesus’ disciples at Gethsemane, who see prayers only at the level of talking to God instead of the spiritual battle we encounter every day. Prayers ultimately are not about what to say or how to say it; they are more than words. Jesus’s War Room was in the Garden of Gethsemane. I invite you to join me to discover more about Jesus’ War Room this Sunday. Remember to use the bulletin to jot down the notes for your further reflection.
Pray
Dear God, may you prepare my heart, mind and soul to respond to your love for me. Please open my eyes to see who you are. Guide my mind to know your works. Touch my heart to feel your presence. Teach me to surrender like Jesus so I dare face the daily challenges. I believe that one day Jesus will return and bring healing and justice. May you, Lord, continue to transform me inside out so that your name be honoured and glorified. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.
Diving Deeper
What challenges were Jesus facing during the prayer at the Garden of Gethsemane
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- Jesus was facing ________
- Jesus was facing ________
- Jesus was facing _________
According to the sermon:
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- What does surrender as Jesus mean?
- Surrender as Jesus means that you are willing to __________________
- Surrender as Jesus means that you are willing to __________________
- Surrender as Jesus means that you are willing to __________________
- Have you ever experienced the type of prayers that Jesus had in the Garden of Gethsemane? How did you negotiate with God? What lesson was learned?
- What is the one “candy” in your hand right now? How would you be able to let go of that “candy”?
- What does surrender as Jesus mean?