Prayer is hard work. It requires discipline, focus, and humility. I am challenged with this spiritual endeavor each and every day. E.M. Bounds makes this observation in his book, Power Through Prayer, “Spiritual work is taxing work, and men are loath to do it. Praying, true praying, costs an outlay of serious attention and of time, which flesh and blood do not relish.” I find this often to be the case in my personal life. “My spirit is willing but my flesh is weak.” And sadly, my flesh often wins this battle to some degree or another. Jesus demonstrated for us in the Garden of Gethsemane what it looks like to be wholly committed to and dependent on the Father all the while He faced the reality of the crucible. Through agonizing prayer, Jesus expressed his submission to the Father’s will, stating those famous words, “Not My will, but Thine be done” (Matt. 26:39). This single-focused desire ought to be the lens through which we pray. Even in the midst of His agony, Jesus turned to his disciples and said on two separate occasions, “Pray that you may not enter into temptation.” Prayer is not only difficult, but it is vitally important for our spiritual well-being, and it’s why our flesh so strongly objects. Not only should we readily seek God’s forgiveness when we sin, but even prior to temptation, the effectual prayer of the righteous man should be on our lips—“Not my will, but Thine be done.” Living in submission to God’s will changes everything—our affections and behavior. Our flesh is weak but the Spirit of God is so much greater. Let us commit ourselves to God’s will as we follow Christ’s example. Regardless of the troubling circumstances we face, there is truly no better place to live than at the center of God’s will. Let us pray towards this end. – Pastor Nate
Sunday at Liberty
9AM: Pastor Rory–Taking Up Arms, 1
10AM: Pastor Rory–Matthew 26:36-56–The Messiah’s Submissive Will (sermon notes)
6PM: Pastor Rory–Psalm 41–You Uphold Me in My Integrity
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