Sliding into Wednesday's Prayers

Wednesday Retreat....

Prayer:   We praise You O LORD.  You provide us with blessings.  Even when we fall asleep or forget to do Your work,  You love us unconditionally.  We thank You!  Amen.

Read St. Matthew 26: 36 – 46

Then Jesus went with his Disciples to a place called Gethsemane.   Jesus took Peter and James and John.  Jesus asks to the three that his soul is overwhelmed with sorrow.   So Jesus goes and prays.  He asks Peter and James and John to keep awake and keep watch … to say prayers for Jesus.

When Jesus returns from praying,  he finds Peter and James and John sound asleep.  What?  Why would they be sleeping when Jesus asked them to pray for him?  Frequently when we are under stress,  our body says, “that’s it” and makes us take a nap.  Nothing wrong with naps at all!

Yet,  Jesus went to pray three times,  and three times he asked the Disciples to pray for him and three times he returns to find the Disciples asleep.    

Are we like the Disciples?  Do we say to people, “we will pray for you and your situation” and then forget?  Oopsie.    Always always remember if you say to someone you will pray for them,  to keep your promise.    Prayers for people do not have to be long prayers… they can be prayers that say, “Here Lord,  I bring Mrs. X in your presence today.  Be with her and answer her needs as Your will be done. This I ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.”

Simple prayers… but remember to pray if someone asks you!

Prayer:   Jesus Christ,  Son of God,  have mercy upon us!   Be with those who need Your love and mercy this day.  We lift up to You those people we know that need Your love in their lives……..  We lift up to You today those people who are struggling with jobs and bosses…..  We lift up to You today those people who are sick and infirmed.   Be with these people and if it is Your will,  answer their needs.  This we ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.

Many blessings!