A Stone's Throw

"On reaching the place, he said to them, 'Pray that you will not fall into temptation.' He withdrew about a stone's throw beyond them, knelt down and prayed...An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him." Luke 22:40.

Jesus was standing in the shadow of his own death in anguish and exhaustion. He petitioned his inner circle to join him in prayer. He longed for the support, partnership and presence of his friends. As he faced death he not only asked for prayers for himself but wanted them to be aware of the temptation for which they would face when they were in the throws of fear once Jesus was arrested. The Bible states that they fell asleep exhausted from sorrow. The disciples didn't have malintent towards Jesus but was experiencing their own sadness for what was about to occur. Jesus knew their weaknesses would prevent them from standing firm in their faith and partnership with Him. The Quest Study Bible states in it's commentary that "Their (the disciples) boasts of allegiance appear pathetic in light of their behavior as the night wore on. Their failure to pray would make them an easy mark when assaulted by fear and temptation." p. 1516.

Much is the same with our walk. Jesus encourages us to pray for certain situations, for certain people and for our own strength. Through these prayers we invite resolution, peace and comfort into our lives and are strengthened. If we fall asleep allowing the world to lull us into it's own sense of peace and security we miss out on the angel of strength and we fall into the world's slumber - a slumber that keeps our minds closed and weakened. Just as the disciples, although we are justified in our fears and exhaustion we are not strengthened by them.

How many times have we been caught sleeping when God gives us a partnership He expects us to experience? In the words of Jesus in our darkest hour, "Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation." Luke 22:46.