I’ve really appreciated this insight today from Brian Zahnd …
On the night of his betrayal, Jesus spent a lot of time in prayer, centering himself on the will of His Father. However, nearby his friends slept.
When the soldiers arrived, his friends sprung into action, drawing a sword and cutting off a man’s ear.
The one who slept reacted out of fear and aggression.
Jesus, who had spent the time laying his fears and issues out in prayer calmly healed the man.
He was then quiet for most of his 3 trials that followed and then prayed “Father forgive them, they know not what they do” as he hung on a cross waiting to die.
The one who slept, quickly denied knowing Jesus and the rushed away out of shame.
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Such an interesting contrast.
We don’t know everything Jesus prayed that night but we do know he taught us to pray like this:
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.”
??Matthew? ?6:9-10, 12-13? ?NIV??
A prayer that re-centers us and re-focuses us – not on ourselves but on heavenly things.
Imagine if we were so centered through prayer – that when the bank account was empty we simply trusted for our daily bread.
Imagine if we were so centered through prayer – that when our enemies attack, we stepped in to offer healing, rather than a fist or sword.
Just imagine if we were so centered through prayer – that when faced with the troubles of this world we could truly hush, be still and know …
Imagine …
