Prayed a Little More Earnestly

Warning! This blog is religious in nature. So if you are not into that sort of thing, I warned you!

The reason that I am heading down the religious path is because today is Good Friday! This is one of the biggest days in Christendom. This is the day that the Christian world commemorates the crucifixion, martyrdom of Jesus Christ. The legend goes that Jesus died on the cross and then three days later was resurrected from the dead on the following Sunday (first day of the week).

You might be perplexed as to why this day is called, “Good.” Well you are in good company. Some churches have changed the name to Black Friday or Holy Friday. No one really knows where the Good concept came from. I have heard theories ranging from the fact that it was God Friday, which over time became Good, to the concept that we are saying Goodbye to the old self prior to Resurrection Sunday. Who knows.

I like to dive into things that I have not thought about in a while, so I decided to crack open the Bible, specifically, the 4 Synoptic Gospels that account for this story. Each of these writings in the Christian Bible, tell effectively the same story. Each accounting as a witness of what occurred when Jesus Christ roamed the earth. The are not always in harmony, and some include stories that the others do not. However, all 4 of them share the events leading up to the Crucifixion of Jesus.

One particular thing that stared out at me that I had not realized, was how many times Jesus either prayed himself or encouraged others to pray to God while he was going through the ordeal. Sort of interesting, in the time of crisis, which he was certainly going through, prayer was what he returned to the most. If you are a Christian, then you may want to consider this fact. Jesus himself turned to prayer when suffering a overwhelming trial, should you consider the same approach?

For your consideration, starting from the night that it was recorded that Jesus was arrested, here are the moments that he turned to prayer:

Matthew, Mark record that Jesus communed with his disciples at the Feast of the Passover with prayer and communion
John adds that Jesus instructed them on how to pray to God and also prayed to the disciples to bring them a Comforter
Matthew, Mark, Luke record that Jesus went into the Garden of Gethsemane on the Mount of Olives in order to pray. Luke adds that Jesus prayed more earnestly.
John adds that Jesus offered a great Intercessory Prayer, and records what Jesus prayed for.
Matthew, Mark, Luke record that Jesus encouraged his disciples to also pray while he was praying in the garden.
Matthew, Mark record that Jesus prayed a second time in the Garden.
Matthew, Mark record that Jesus went a third time to the Garden to pray.
Luke records that Jesus prayed for the people that were executing him.
Matthew, Mark records that Jesus prayed to God asking why he had been forsaken while hanging from the cross
Matthew, Mark, Luke record that Jesus prayed one last final time before dying.

So there, the gospels all talk of the prayers that Jesus offered during the final moments of his life. It seems, as it were, that prayer is really important. Although I have included prayer in my 365 commitment for quite some time, I think I could learn some lessons from this exercise today. Good Friday has taught me to be more mindful in my exercise of prayer. If Jesus, perhaps the most influential person to ever walk the earth, turned to prayer in his time of need then why shouldn’t I?

Guy Reams

1 Comment

Oldest

Newest Most Voted

Inline Feedbacks

View all comments

Barbara

6 years ago

Very inspirational. I like the prayer Jesus prayed in John 17:20-21“Jesus prayed, I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, father, are in me, and I in you. That they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
(John 17:20–21)

As Jesus prays for his disciples through the first 19 or so verses. And then you get to verse 20. And he starts praying not just for his disciples who were around him at that time, but for all who would believe in Jesus through their testimony. He prayed for all who would someday believe in Jesus as their Lord and savior! WOW!

Share the Post:

Recent Blogs

Day 308 – Speed is The Champion

This article explores the concept that speed often leads to success in various fields, from business to technology and sports. It argues that systems capable of rapid action, feedback, and adjustment tend to outperform those focused on avoiding errors. The author highlights the importance of fast feedback loops, citing John Boyd’s OODA loop and its application in AI systems. The piece also discusses the speed-accuracy tradeoff, noting that while speed can lead to more mistakes, these are often recoverable, and the compounding effect of rapid learning ultimately drives better results.

Day 307 – Iterative Could be Insufficient

This article explores the contrast between iterative and linear thinking, highlighting their respective strengths and weaknesses. It argues that while iterative thinking is beneficial in many fields, it can sometimes be an excuse for insufficient upfront planning, and proposes a hybrid approach for more robust decision-making.

Day 306 – The Zeigarnik Effect

The article explores the psychological relief gained from writing down unfinished tasks and concerns, linking it to the Zeigarnik Effect. It explains how externalizing thoughts through writing can free the mind from constantly remembering and worrying about unresolved issues, allowing for greater mental peace and the ability to conclude the day effectively.

Day 305 – The Treasure He Never Found

A young man spends his life chasing riches, fame, and glory, only to find repeated failures. In his old age, surrounded by his loving family, he realizes that the true treasure he sought was not in external achievements but in the relationships and character he built along the way.