Prayer at Gethsemane

Christ’s final hours were upon Him

The disciples waited nearby

His closest, Peter James and John

Were invited to watch and pray

Jesus shared His overwhelming grief

And went off alone to pray

He called out to the Father

If possible, let this cup pass from Me

Yet He submitted Himself

To His Father’s will and plan

When He returned

He found fast asleep those He asked to pray

Couldn’t you keep watch for one hour

For temptation is coming your way

To resist your spirit needs to be strengthened

Jesus went again to beseech the Father

He returned only to find

His three closest friends asleep on their watch

They had no idea what to say

No excuse is given, they remain silent

A third time

Jesus goes alone to Father and prays

When He returns it’s no surprise

He finds His disciples asleep on their watch

His time with them has come to an end

For His hour is at hand

His betrayer will come with throngs

And greet Him with a kiss

Jesus arises

He knows what’s to come

And the great suffering He will endure

Instead of fleeing

Jesus Christ rises

To meet those who seek to kill Him

He stands ready to accomplish the Father’s will

He is alone

Soon His prayerless disciples will flee

The angles are restrained

As the Son of God is betrayed

Given over into the hands of evil men

The Father is silent in His resolve

His plan will be accomplished

Sin will be punished

Those bound by sin and death will be set free

Grace and mercy will be offered

Not to those who deserve it

For there are none

But salvation will be given

To those hell-bound sinners who repent

To those who confess Christ Jesus as Lord

They will be saved

by Susan Wachtel

September 16, 2015