Even Jesus, God’s Son had to pray a death prayer and it is over one of the most heart rending times of His ministry. Jesus had to surrender His human will to what He knew His father’s will was as He went to the cross.
Matthew 26: 39, Mark 14: 36 and Luke 22: 42 all give an account of the death prayer that Jesus prayed in Gethsemane. On the cross He overcame but it was in Gethsemane praying while His disciples slept that He took the victory. He prayed,
"Father, if it is Your will take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done." Luke 22: 42
Jesus surrendered His own will, died to self, and went to the cross even though He knew the pain and suffering that it would entail. Jesus shows us the ultimate example of a death prayer as He actually lays down His human life, not just His desires but His life.
This is NOT to say that we all need to go and actually lay down our lives but is again another example of how we should say over things in our live, "Not my will Father, but your will be done." Today if you have areas in your life where you choose your desires and will over God’s will, surrender it to Him in your own death prayer. Surrender your life to God in prayer and see what amazing things He can then do with and through you!
Sara Jukes
2004-12-21