Day 33 - Pauses for Lent - Pray

“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Matthew 26:39 NIV
 
As a youth, I attended Vaiden High School in Vaiden, Mississippi. One of my favorite teachers was Mr. Van Simpson.  Mr. Simpson gave us a Geometry exam seemingly every Friday.  He also administered pop quizzes occasionally. When some of my classmates asked him why he gave pop quizzes and so many exams, Mr. Simpson explained, “I am not giving you anything that I did not fully prepare each of you for.” 
 
At Gethsemane, Jesus is in the place of preparation before his trial. Gethsemane is where Jesus prays so earnestly that his sweat falls to the ground like drops of blood. Gethsemane is the place where the soul of Jesus is sorrowful, even unto death. He is in distress. He has been let down by his closest friends.  Even at Jesus’ request, his friends could not stay awake with him for one hour.  In the midst of his struggles, he utters a prayer of surrender, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 
 
This prayer is an invitation for us to consider as part of our earthly journey. May we choose to surrender to God’s will for our lives. 
 
 Let’s now sing aloud these words:
 
“All to Jesus I surrender;
All to him I freely give;
I will ever love and trust him,
In his presence daily live.
Refrain:
I surrender all, I surrender all, 
All to thee, my blessed Savior,
I surrender all.”
 
Amen. 
 
Rev. Stephen Cook, District Superintendent, West Jackson District