The 12 Minute Family Devotion

Jesus Prayer In The Garden

Welcome to the Prayer in the Garden family devotional. Before going to the cross, Jesus took his disciples to an olive grove called the Garden of Gethsemane. Jesus had gone there to spend time in prayer with his father, his soul was filled with sorrow as the day of his suffering drew near.

Matthew 26 tells us that Jesus asked his father to take the coming cup of suffering away from him, but in the end, Jesus’ trust in his father was unshakable and he prayed the famous words “I want your will to be done, not mine.”

Family Bible Reading 
Matthew 26:36-46(NIV) 
 

Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. 38 Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

43 When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. 44 So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

45 Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. 46 Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Discussion Questions
After you have watched the Bible video and completed your family Bible reading discuss the following questions. 
 
1. If you are sad and troubled what does Jesus tell us we can do to help us?
 
2. Why is it important to pray for other people who are sad?
 
3. Who are the people that you trust the most?  
Closing Prayer
Dear God, thank you that Jesus came as a human, that He understands our sufferings, and that He left us a good example to follow. Help us to be like Jesus and trust God through prayer when difficulties come. We ask these things in Jesus’ name, Amen.
 
 
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