Gethsemane: Spirit of Prayer part 2 track 13

Gethsemane Music by Linda Louisa From time to time some of us go through Gethsemane experiences, not to substitute for Christ’s original sacrifice, but somehow to extend its scope in every generation. Such experiences not only make us eager to get to Heaven: they prepare us to meet Him there. Lord Jesus, although some might foolishly claim that You only suffered pain and shame for a few short hours, the truth is rather that from the moment Gabriel declared that a sword would pierce Your mother’s heart, Gethsemane’s haze overshadowed even the most carefree days. So certain they were right, the indignant Scribes and Pharisees poured out their spite on those who begged You to save their sight. Quite failing to appreciate that You had come to set their captives free, they sought to shun Your light. Even so will those who live and move in heavenly freedom be despised by some, and loved by others, for salt is both irritant and preservative. Inspire in us such fulsome hope that even when we are groping in the pain of being the butt of those who mock You keep our feet on the Rock. For with You is not only fullness of joy but also the ageless earnestness You displayed in the Garden of Gethsemane, when the pressures all but overwhelmed Your defences, and Your prayers drew blood to achieve the pardon for our offence. Lord, since each one of us must choose how we will respond when the invitation comes to take our place in Your suffering bride, grant that our hearts become stronger and not harder through the things that we suffer – even as heat softens wax and strengthens clay. Since the darkness is to You as light, give me grace to press on through the night, for if I take the route of opting out, I can never return. But You are my Redeemer and my Intercessor, who can renew hope and mercy a thousand times, and so I choose life over death, using even these great pressures to purify my desire – for those who pay the price to endure will reign with You in Paradise. TIMES OF PRESSURE When too many pressures come my way, may my eyes not turn astray to envy others for what they have that I do not, for that would open the door for swift and silent adders to inflame my heart with maddening desires. Before I foolishly absorb such toxic venom, I want to thank You for all You have given me – and the continual freshness of Your beautifully sculpted multi layered leadings. Lord, since You are working out Your plans and purposes with far more precision than might at first appear, I will resist the temptation to cry out as Peter did, “But Lord, what of him?” for self pity is ever the gateway to inner disarray – and of what use are comparisons that make me feel smugly superior – or hopelessly inferior? So in Your name we pour this poison down the drain, and bless the ones we are tempted to disdain. Where my chosen path has reached an impasse, with no room left to fulfil certain hopes, let me not pout or doubt, let alone whinge and whine, for Your plans will never be entirely short-circuited when we are absorbed in pursuing You. If ever John on lonely Patmos felt inclined to envy Peter for being long since restored to Heaven’s sweeter shores, God knew that he was there to take possession of the Revelation and to see the Redeemer with new eyes – and we are where we are in order to receive the fresh ignition of His specific commission; for truly, the Judge of all the Earth does only what is right.