I’ve always been a little surprised by Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane on the eve of his crucifixion.

“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.’” (Matt. 26:39)

Why surprised? Maybe because my imagination has been shaped by stoic heroes who face down death with zero emotion. But Jesus wasn’t like that. He wept “overwhelmed with sorrow” and even asked the Father if he could avoid the grim fate that lay ahead.

Of course, the next words in his prayer were crucial. “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” He was resigned to his Father’s will and went obediently to die for the sins of the world.

It provides a good template for our own prayers. When we find ourselves is hard or terrifying circumstances, we can cry out that God would spare us. But even when he doesn’t, like Jesus, we can still obey and trust Him. For a powerful reflection on this topic, read Praying in the Shadow of Gethsemane. In it, John Peckham unpacks what Jesus’ midnight prayer can teach us.

Speaking of prayer, we have a great resource on leading corporate prayer. Leading a Group in Prayer is a 23-page collection of articles designed to help anyone who ever facilitates a time of group prayer--for three people or 100. Glean valuable insights for helping everyone participate, in a way that is genuine, edifying, and God-honoring.