Fighting on Your Knees, Pt. 2

At the most difficult time in His life, Jesus prayed. If Jesus thought it was important to pray in His darkest moment, then surely we must do the same.

Fighting on Your Knees, Pt. 2

"He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'"

(Matthew 26:39)

This week we are looking deeper into the spiritual discipline of prayer. We are gleaning from the wisdom of Pastor Charles Stanley, who went to be with the Lord on April 23, 2023. He considered prayer of vital importance to followers of Jesus. He said how you fight your spiritual battles is important. You and I can win every battle, no matter what it is. The most important thing in our lives is our relationship with God, and we must have a prayer life. Think about that for a moment: you and I can win not some or even most but every spiritual battle we face if we pray. Prayer is not a passive "take it or leave it" matter. No, prayer is the key to living the victorious Christian life and the spiritual weapon we must have in our relationship with Jesus. Paul said in 1 Thessalonians 5:17, "Pray without ceasing." Now that is placing a serious emphasis on prayer!

Stanley's biblical text in this message on prayer was Matthew 26:36-39: "Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to the disciples, 'Sit here while I go and pray over there.' And He took with Him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and He began to be sorrowful and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, 'My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.' He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, 'O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.'"

This Bible passage is exactly what I needed to hear! I have been thinking about this text recently and how powerfully it is speaking and ministering to me at this time in my life and ministry. Praise God for the Word of God! In prayer, Jesus pours out His soul to His Heavenly Father. At the most difficult time in His life, He prayed. Jesus prayed. Let those words sink into your soul. If Jesus thought it was important to pray in His darkest moment, then surely we must do the same. We too must not complain to others, get angry, and shake our fists at God; rather, we must pour out our souls to our great God who loves us.

Jesus won the battle against the devil while on His knees, crying out to the Father. What battle are you facing right now in your life? We all will have battles: jobs, health, finances, lust, anger, temptation, etc. The issue is how you fight them. You may be tempted to think that prayer is not the most important thing, reasoning that you need to act and handle things on your own. Please let me warn you: do not do that. God does not need your help. He wants you to pray. When you pray, you are doing the most important and strategic thing you could possibly do. God settles your heart and mind; He speaks words of peace and courage; He works miracles in your life; He guides you in the path you should go. All these wonderful blessings are yours and mine when we pray.