This post is part of a 40-day journey following Jesus in his prayer life. We’ll explore virtually every reference in the Gospels to Jesus and prayer. For a more in-depth treatment, see my book Prayers from the Pit.
“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.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, ‘My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.’ 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.’ And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, ‘So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.’ Again, for the second time, he went away and prayed, ‘My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.’ And again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. So, leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words again. Then he came to the disciples and said to them, ‘Sleep and take your rest later on. See, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise, let us be going; see, my betrayer is at hand’” (Matt. 26:36-46 ESV).
Because Jesus is fully divine, it may be surprising to hear him praying, “Let this cup pass from me…Let this cup pass from me…Let this cup pass from me.” We don’t expect such lament from someone so spiritual. And because Jesus is also fully human, it may also be surprising to hear him praying, “ nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” We don’t expect such surrender from someone so human.
In one prayer, Jesus says things we often won’t say because we fear offending the Father (“Let this cup pass from me…“). But Jesus also says things we often can’t say because we fear surrendering to the Father (“Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…“). Our spirit longs for us to submit our will to God’s will, but the flesh is so often weak. Our flesh longs for us to be honest and transparent with God, but the spirit so often refuses.
Think right now of a circumstance in your life or in the life of someone else which is discouraging and depressing. For a few moments, praying nothing but “Let this cup pass…Let this cup pass…Let this cup pass…” Beg God to end or prevent this suffering. After some silence, begin praying again. This time, however, pray nothing but “Nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will…nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” Surrender wholly and completely to the will of God.
