Digging Deeper: Pray When Darkness Surrounds You
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go over there and pray.” 37 And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.” 39 And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.
Matthew 26:36-39 (ESV)
PRAY WHEN DARKNESS SURROUNDS YOU
As this story unfolds, Jesus and his disciples have celebrated the Passover with a meal, taken part in the first Communion, and Peter has emphatically pronounced he will never deny Jesus. It is late at night/early in the morning as the group heads to Gethsemane (a garden at the foot of the Mount of Olives on the east side of Jerusalem). Darkness is everywhere. Jesus picks out the three who have been his closest friends during his time on earth (Peter, James, and John, v. 37), and he asks them to watch as he walks on alone to pray (v. 39).
Jesus knows what lies ahead: an unimaginably painful physical death on the cross; and, an equally unimaginable spiritual separation from his Father as a result of the weight of the sins of the world being placed upon him. Paul wrote, “21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin” (2 Cor 5:21a).
Jesus is “very” sorrowful and troubled, “even unto death” (v. 37-38). Some translations describe Jesus as exceedingly sorrowful, overwhelmed with sorrow, and full of sorrow. Matthew here is describing a violent emotion, something resembling shock. The King of Kings proceeds to “fall on his face” (v. 39), and begins to pray to his Father. Luke describes Jesus as “being in agony,” his sweat becoming like “great drops of blood falling to the ground” (Luke 22:44). In Jesus’ darkest hour, with the night closing in all around him, he lays prostrate at the feet of his loving Father.
At various times in the Gospels, Jesus goes off to pray, often in the hours of darkness. He does this to connect with his Heavenly Father, and to recharge his Spirit. We are called to do the same. When you find yourself in your darkest hour, pray! When the world seems to be closing in all around you, pray! When you reach rock bottom, just remember to look down at the rock of foundation you are standing on. Fall on your knees and pray! James, the half-brother of Jesus, says it perfectly, 13 “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray” (James 5:13a).
God, in the name of Jesus, through the power of the Spirit, hears our prayers. Praise God that He listens!
Phil Meade is a father of three, and grandfather of five. He has a Masters in Theological Studies from Liberty University, and lives in Acworth. He has led various small groups throughout his more than 20 years attending NorthStar Church. He recently retired after 33 years as a pilot for Delta Airlines.