Prayer and Peacemaking

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Scripture: Matthew 26:36–42 (NRSV)
36 Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane; and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” 37 He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be grieved and agitated. 38 Then he said to them, “I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” 39 And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not what I want but what you want.” 40 Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? 41 Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” 42 Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.”

Meditation:
            Today we will talk about peacemaking and prayer. The scripture I have chosen is a scene of Jesus praying in great agony over the events that were to take place. The trials of his trial and his cross brought great agony to Jesus. His disciples didn’t seem to comprehend what was about to happen because Jesus invited them to pray with him, but all they could do was sleep.
            But Jesus cannot help but pray. A part of him knows that it is for this agony which he came into this world. Another part of him also knowing what was ahead begged the Father for another way. Jesus prayer ends with the famous words “not my will but yours be done.” Jesus finds peace in facing death. However, he faces death not as one who is hopeless about his death. Jesus faces death as one who trusts the Father for resurrection and new life on the other side of the grave.
            What prayer did for Jesus prayer can do for us. Rather than helping us escape our problems and difficulties prayer gives us the power and the strength to face our problems and see them through regardless of the ending. We receive a peace that helps our souls gain strength. Prayer is the peacemaker for our souls. And if for our souls then for the world as we act from that center of peace in our souls to bless others with the peace we have inside.

Prayer:
            Almighty God, help us to pray for the peace of our souls. Teach us to pray for the peace of this world. We know that our flesh is weak and that we frequently fail as we pray for peace, but forgive us and strengthen our flesh that we may become a more prayerful people. And as we pray more may the world know more of the peach for which we pray. In Jesus name, Amen. 

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