Jesus took his disciples to pray in the garden of Gethsemane. He felt tormented by the agony of death at the hand of the people orchestrated by the Pharisees and scribes. He was also aware that his disciple called Judas whom he trusted had compromised his faithfulness to his course. Jesus therefore prayed and said in Matthew 26: 39, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; yet not that I want but what you want.” This prayer may be dilated or discussed in three sections.
Are all things possible to God?
By Jesus’ prayer, “My Father, if it is possible” was he doubtful about what was possible to God? In other words, was Jesus suggesting that not all things are possible to God? Scripture says the answer is no. Jesus knew at all times that God was able to do everything and that nothing was beyond him. When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cure the boy who had an epileptic, Jesus said in Matthew 17: 20 “Because of your little faith. Jesus did not say God is limited in what he can do.
In another instance, Jesus remarked that it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for the rich to enter the kingdom of God. Astounded, the disciples said, then who can be saved? Jesus replied in Matthew 19: 26, “For mortals it is impossible, but for God all things are possible.” Jesus had no iota of doubt that God was the ultimate in all and everything. Isaiah 64: 8 says, yet, O LORD, you are our Father; we are the clay, and you are our potter; we are all the work of your hand. If God molded us as Isaiah says, then he alone knows all about us even before we were formed and can change our circumstances.
God’s exceptional circumstance rule
Jesus was relying on God’s rule of exceptional circumstances by which God may allow some requests outside the norm. Jesus wanted God to determine whether or not his prayer qualified under his exceptional circumstance rule. To Jesus, only God could make that determination. Jesus used the same window to set the captives free. Matthew 11: 5 says the blind receive their sight, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and the poor have good news brought to them.
In the Old Testament, God delivered Israel from Egyptian slavery; led David to defeat the Goliath and the Philistines; delivered the three Hebrew boys from king Nebuchadnezzar’s furnace; Daniel from the lion’s den; and many more which no book can contain. Revelation 1: 8 says “I am the Alpha and Omega,” says the Lord God, who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 21: 6 says, I am the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. Revelation 22: 13 says I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”
The direction of our prayer
Our prayers must be directed at God’s window of exceptional circumstances with humility. God has the final authority. We must not rush but wait to go by Jesus’ decision whether favourable or not. Ultimately, God’s decision will always be for our good. The clay cannot decide for the potter but the potter does for the clay. Philippians 2: 6 says though he (Jesus) was in the form of God, did not regard equality with God as something to be exploited. In truth Jesus knew that to God, all things are possible.
No matter our burdens, we can take it to the Lord in prayer. We must trust that his response, whether negative or positive, is for our good according to his plan for our lives. Jesus said in Luke 13: 5, “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Be prepared to accept God’s will as perfect for us.
Prayer
Dear Lord Jesus Christ, teach us how to present our prayer before you. Let your Holy Spirit teach us how to pray so we may benefit from your exceptional circumstance rule knowing that you have already ordained all things for their seasons and times. Let whatever bitter cup we are to drink pass from us because of the blood of your blood. We pray in your holy name, Amen!!
Send us your prayer request so we may join you in prayer
