“They came to a place named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here until I have prayed.” And He took with Him Peter and James and John, and began to be very distressed and troubled” (Mark 14:32-33).
The world is often very troubling and we are often distressed. Jesus was preparing to take upon Himself the weight of the sin of the world. He knows the anxiety of the world that tries to overwhelm us. We often check out and do not listen to the Holy Spirit to work through the troubling moments. It is not that we are to be stressed, but to recognize that in any given moment somewhere, there are those around us who are greatly distressed.
Lord, Your word says that if one member of the body hurts, we all hurt. Around the world, there are so many who are distressed. You have called for Your people to be a people of prayer. In communion with You, we can learn what You would have us do and obey Your command. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, guide Your faithful to be a people of prayer, in communion with all the saints, and seeking Your guidance.
Lord Jesus, none of us are able to comprehend the breadth and depth of the suffering You took upon Yourself for our sakes. You call for me to join in prayer on behalf of those who are suffering. Lead me in the faith You have given me so that I humbly join with the saints of all times and places on behalf of those who are distressed. By Your example, help me to become a person of prayer. Amen.
