The Gethsemane Torment

Focus: Luke 22:41-42 - KJV

41. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42. Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.

Matthew 6:9-10

Life on earth is like fulfilling a script which had been written by the author thereof from the foundation of the world. Every man brought into the earth, is therefore for a purpose. To fulfil such purpose, there are seasons and things he must pass through which are inevitable. Since man however does not ordinarily possess the ability to know the future, the tendency is to be anxious about occurrences at some seasons or times of life. In such anxious moments, we tend to bombard God with our requests which do not conform with His will towards our fulfilling the ultimate purpose; and we therefore assume He is not just responding to us and perhaps, feel it is unthinkable. Truth however, is, unless it meets with the purpose of God, it is difficult to force the hands of God to do to us things that will derail us from His purpose. It is the Gethsemane torment.

Jesus Christ knew the purpose for which He came to earth. When the time was really near, the effect of bearing sin upon Himself and therefore be separated from the father, albeit for a short while, dawned on Him and He thought it well to ask that the event be shelved. He did pray until His sweat purrs was like shedding blood. However, as a great example who had taught us to pray that the will of God be done, He submitted Himself to God’s will, instead of His. If God had heeded His request, there would still have been need to come again to fulfil the purpose which God had promised man from the beginning. Until He yielded His will for God’s will, He had not peace in the matter. This is the case with many who assume God is unfair to them, because He has not heeded their self-centered requests, which were Gethsemane type. They need to yield.

Prayer is good. It is however better to pray always according to the will of God. At times we assume we know and want to force the hands of God to approve our lusts and biases. God is not man and He is no respecter of any man. The earlier we realize that, the better for us all. Hence, even though there is nothing difficult for God to do, wanting to compel Him to do something for us which is inimical to our fulfilling purpose, is asking Him to mark us a failure in that aspect of life. When that happens, we just must return to take the examination again someday, if we must fulfil purpose. So, that prayer request that seems to linger in performance, do check whether it is in the will of God. It is advisable to always seek God’s will daily, even as we pray.

SOLUTION: Operating in God’s will is important to the fulfilment of purpose. An attempt to force God to approve our lusts is counterproductive. Let us first determine God’s purpose for our lives, and every bit of the way, pray that His will be done in our endeavors and activities, so that we do not pray amiss.

Please pray thus: Father, please let your will and your will alone be done in my life every day thereof in the name of Jesus. Anytime I appear to be thrown off the course of your purpose for my life, do please keep me in check with your rod and staff that, like Christ, I might submit fully to your will alone, in Jesus’ name.

Kindly share with others if you have been blessed by this Guide. God bless you as you do so, in Jesus' name.