Quiet Time
and being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground Luke 22:44
Very Fervently – “Prayer is not ‘quiet time’ but a time of wrestling and passion.” So says Peter Leithart. He goes on to say that the contemporary worship experience of prayer, laced with soft romantic music and comfortable surroundings, will never prepare us for the wrestling match with God or the battle with evil. We are not taught to pray. We are taught to feel good.
When Yeshua stepped into the Garden on the night of His betrayal, He came face-to-face with the real enemy of all Mankind. It was not a praise and worship experience. The Son of Man struggled so much that His sweat was like blood. He agonized in prayer. The Greek is ektenesteron, a word that comes from the idea of stretching out or extending. It is about being pulled to the limit. Think of the rack. Do you pray so intently that you are stretched to breaking? Does your worship service end up on the floor, agonizing over the lost, weeping for sins, crying out to the Lord? In our culture, we would consider such behavior inappropriate. But, of course, without the practice of fervent prayer, we are simply not equipped to face the real enemy. Without community training in wrestling with God, we will fold when the pressure really comes.
Greek has a very limited vocabulary for prayer. English is even worse. But Hebrew has an enormously rich vocabulary around the concept of praying. That vocabulary includes everything from growls to shouts, from songs to crying, from meditation to sackcloth and ashes. The human experience before the King of glory is not limited to a few, stripped-down syllables. It must be as wide and deep as the object of its desire. Prayer must reflect God’s view of the world, and that view is not limited to “folding your hands and bowing your heads.” In the Hebrew worldview, prayer is life! Becoming human is the process of being in communication with the Creator. Therefore, I live only insofar as I am advancing in my communication with Him. Perhaps that is why the Psalms contain such depth in vocabulary and such emotional range for prayer. Human beings are the creatures that pray and prayer becomes the avenue of their existence.
So, where does this leave us? I don’t know about you, but I struggle with prayer. It is rarely restful for me. Often I don’t even know what to say. I feel inadequate to the task. I waver over asking a sovereign God who knows me better than I know myself to do anything for me. Since I want only to pray according to His will, I often find that I am lost about what requests to voice to Him. But, of course, He knows all this. There have been times when I could only cry, times when I shouted (and not in joy), times when I pleaded, but most of the time, I feel confused, so humbled that I don’t want to speak and desperate to hear His voice. Perhaps that’s why I pray the psalms. I know that my life with Him depends a great deal on my ability to communicate with Him – no, that’s not right. It depends on my willingness to speak with Him. Ability has little to do with it. The Spirit knows those things too deep to be uttered. I think in the end I am just one of those men who were never taught to pray. I believe it takes teaching and since I did not grow up in a culture of open, audible prayer, my growth was stunted. Now I need to catch up. How about you?
Topical Index: prayer, ektenesteron, Luke 22:44
Great commentary Skip!
I am so glad to hear that I am not the only one who falls back on the Psalms! Far too often … like you … I am simply without words …. “its like what can I say that won’t put my foot in my mouth”!
But there are other times, as you say, if one lets Ruach HaKodesh lead the way, when real prayer kicks in. Sadly I must admit that these prayer sessions are not as often as they should be.
Thanks for this message …. I will take it as a healthy reminder … especially in light of the upcoming “Days Of Awe”!
Shalom
Skip reminds us that prayer is work, hard work and I am thinking this morning that I tend to be too lazy in my prayer life. This has been a good reminder to start working again.
Yes, prayer is life (and very connected to our breathing.) Another form of prayer (and there are many) not discussed very much (as fas as I know) is secret, silent prayer. This is a very simple prayer similar to a small child crawling into a Father’s lap and just sitting there being loved by His Father. No words are necessary. No requests. No petitions. Maybe just a Dad, I love you. The way we get to know Someone is to spend time with them. Listen to His words. Let them speak. Shema, O Israel. And G-d said..and it was so – and it was good. And the word of the LORD came unto… “if any man have ears to hear”…we will give to YHWH our focused attention. Ask and you shall receive.. seek and you shall find.. knock and it shall be opened unto you..Our G-d is King.
“connected to our breathing … silent prayer … loved by his Father … I love you … Listen to His words … Shema, O Israel … word of the LORD … focused attention ….”
Hi Carl,
For me, you touch upon a number of important points which, if you will pardon my Greek analytical mode, I “put into a box” called Meditation.
In my mind, meditation is a gift from God that allows us to access Him “on our terms” any time we desire by entering the “here and now.”
In my mind, the purpose of meditation is to make the “two things One;” to unite with the Holy Spirit and to enter the Kingdom of God.
In my experience, meditation slows the rate of breath and stills the stream of consciousness; it takes me down into the deep calm water.
BTW a beautiful movie on this topic, and very artistic movie for an American movie, is called the Diving Bell and the Butterfly; it’s on DVD.
“and being in agony He was praying very fervently; and His sweat became like drops of blood, falling down upon the ground” Luke 22:44
I’m no authority on these matters, but in my interpretation of Luke 22, prayer is not the issue.
Just two lines before, in Luke 22:42, Jesus says “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My Will, but Yours Be Done.” (Think: the Lord’s Prayer)
In my view, in meditation and prayer, we turn to God and we have some control; in Luke 22, God is calling on Jesus and Jesus is not in control.
That is the issue Luke 22 in my view. And the “fervent prayer” is a defensive response to being “burned alive” by a close encounter with His Father; with his True Self.
fer·vent (fûrvnt) adj.
1. Having or showing great emotion or zeal; ardent: fervent protests
2. Extremely hot; glowing.
Remember that Jesus is a kind, sensitive, and loving man, who has come to show the priests, scribes, and disciples how to enter the Kingdom of God.
But the priests and scribes want to put Jesus to death and His disciples betray and abandon Him.
Regarding the blood, sweat, and tears, I think they are Signs of the Stigmata.
A few famous stigmatics:
– Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)
– Saint Catherine of Siena (1347-1380)
– Saint Rita of Cascia (1381-1457)
– Blessed Lucia Brocadelli of Narni (1476-1544)
I have to gently disagree with some of your points here. If Yeshua is not in control, then there would be no need to alter the request between the first and the second session. It’s a subtle change, but an important one. The first time He asks “If this cup can pass from me.” The second time He affirms, “If this cup cannot pass from me.” Go read it again. That is the epitome of voluntary submission which is built on the assumption of control. He could have refused.
You are right about God’s call. This encounter is confrontation with the true consequences of the willingness to obey the Father and accomplish the mission. So, in that sense, it is ardent zeal put to the test. But I am not so sure you can confidently assert that Yeshua is a “kind, sensitive and loving man” without noticing that he is also demanding, stern, jovial, sorrowful, distressed, compassionate, harsh, intolerant, etc. The full range is here – and for good reason. Just as we find more than two dozen words to express prayer in Hebrew, so I believe we find equally the range of emotion in the prayer of Yeshua. This story is a glimpse of merely one aspect, albeit a very potent one.
I think it also important to notice that the scribes, Sadducees and temple police are not the ones who propel events forward in the passion. Yeshua is completely in control, almost pushing events toward there conclusion. After this incident in the Garden, everything moves according to His initiative.
Sometimes I wrestle & pray in the Spirit & my spirit grieves within me as He/Holy Spirit is grieving also – a lot of times I have no idea what I am battling for until the battle is over or won – that is why interceding in the spirit in tongues – a prayer language is so very very important because nothing can touch that straight line to God/Jesus/Holy Spirit. We do not know what we are praying for but They do… 🙂
Yes, so true Jan. It is usually overlooked by most people, along with the teachings ALL through the New Testament on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. Charles Wesley wrote a long article -written several pages on the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, and of course many other people, too. All these things are necessary to walk out what God has worked in. Thanks for your courage to write this. Blessings to you. L.B. melshad@cebridge.net
Yes, Amen This also includes me. Shalom
Hi Skip,
Thank you for your “word”/words on the struggle in prayer. Prayer is one way of truly demonstrating our humanity. Say, both Drew and Carl (above) have mentioned something that draws my attention. In these days of teshuvah (40-days preceding Yom Kippur) and especially the 10-days of Awe, do you have any comments on the time of repentance (teshuvah) which we are currently in… and any thoughts on the 10-days of Awe that precede Yom Kippur (on 9/28)?
Thank you,
Matt Miller
I’m no rabbi, just a fellow traveler. So, I’m right there with you. Perhaps someone in the community has some real insight here. One of the many reasons I look forward to the 2 weeks with Bob Gorelik in Israel.
No Rabbi here either … LOL
Some insights however:
Regarding the upcoming “Days Of Awe” … the issue of t’shuvah and readying oneself for the season is a prominent lifestyle convention within Torah and of course the Hebraic/Jewish culture.
Obviously there is so much about this time frame that it would be futile to even contemplate providing many details within the confines of a post …. however it is important to think of the beauty of the entire Festival cycle … the annual Mo’adim.
These specific Fall Festivals include Yom T’ruah, Yom Kippur and of course Sukkot! At the most rudimentary level Yom T’ruah is the day of remembrance … or rather the day that we shout and blow so that Adonai hears us and remembers us!
Yom T’ruah sets the stage for the 10 day period leading up to Yom Kippur (Atonement). As such these are days of introspection, t’shuvah and a chance to make good on what we know is not good in our lives. The object of course is to be able to humbly and in good faith present ourselves to Adonai on Yom Kippur …. a day of complete emptying …. a day of fasting and prayer!
Sukkot ( four days after Yom Kippur) on the other hand represents our joyous relationship with Adonai. A relationship wherein He provides and we graciously accept the bounty of His goodness. It is a week long festival with multiple convocation days set aside from our normal activities.
There are of course many Jewish conventions and traditions wrapped up into these fesitvals such as the inscribing of the names of the righteous into the Book Of Life on Yom T’ruah …. to be sealed on Yom Kippur … resulting in great joy and relief! (As an example)
Of course all of the Mo’adim have deep rooted literal meanings to the Israelites …. they all have deep rooted halakhic implications relative to the eternal covenant …. they all have deep spiritual relevance regarding Yeshua HaMashiach (prophecy/fulfillment) and so forth.
Please …. take it from someone who sought after these Festivals … found the light within them and embraced them …. “unlike the traditional Christmas banter; this is The Most Wonderful Time Of The Year” … at least for me! 🙂 Besides evidence suggests as well that Yeshua HaMashiach was born during Sukkot anyway! 🙂
So celebrate them in the intended context and one will understand why they are indeed the “Days Of Awe”!
As always, your comments and instruction are greatly appreciated.
Skip,
I, too, would be interested in timely teaching about this season of the Jewish year.
I agree with Drew – praying the Psalms are quite helpful when words just won’t come.
If we just read them out loud, we are hearing the Word, and it will not return void.
Skip,
Thank you for explaining prayer in the light of the “feel good” rendition. Besides falling short in the repentance department, the time in agony and emotional upheaval is also not so evident in my audible prayers. As I engage in my various prayer and study groups, I hope to remember your thoughts and to invoke the Holy Spirit even more in my communications…that I may discover a deeper content with which to talk to my Lord. Good message…I needed to read this. I’ll be forwarding this to my prayer warriors…offensive and defensive tactics duly noted.
Skip, you expressed my own fear/frustration perfectly !! Thanks again for your truthfulness and humility.
Perry
Yup, we’re all in the same boat, just in different seats.
http://www.seekandyouwillfind.ca/Seek_and_you_will_find/Parshah_Talk/Parshah_Talk.htm
Speaking of Jewish Culture:
For those of you who are interested in a more Jewish perspective, Antoinette’s website, which is located at the URL above, is a great place to start.
One day I accidentally clicked on her name in the Recent Comments and found myself on a very inviting little journey into the Hebrew worldview.
Now she has set up Parsha Talk, where you can listen to Rabbi Gorelik, whose lectures/sermons are a great complement to Skip’s writings.
As a matter of fact, last week, Rabbi Gorelik mentioned Skip’s affiliation with the Masters International School of Divinity, and how they might work together more closely in the future.
For Skip: I’m wondering if you are familiar with the online course on Masters International School of Divinity course on Prophets and Prophecy?
For Antoinette: I hope you don’t mind me sharing your website with others … I think it is a great learning experience and a lot of fun use.
Thanks,
Mike
Bob and I have talked often about joint ventures in teaching. I suspect that after the trip to Israel together we will be ready to do something formal on that level.
By the way, I didn’t know that Bob mentioned me. That was nice to hear.
I am not familiar with the Master’s course on Prophets and Prophecy, so I can’t comment on its approach. Sorry. Most of the courses I teach at Master’s involve leadership, hermeneutics, apologetics and exegesis. Once in awhile they tap me for systematic theology, but the students usually come crawling out of class when I start with the Hebrew worldview – where there is NO formal systematic theology. Ha! They either love it or hate it. Depends on how Greek they are, I suppose.
Michael, this “link” led to nowhere. Could you post the URL one more time? Abba’s blessings to you today..
Hi Carl,
Sure I’ll post it again.
Actually, I realized it didn’t work from this site when I tested it the morning after posting it the first time.
So you might have cut and paste the URL in your browser drop down window to get to Antoinette’s site.
http://www.seekandyouwillfind.ca/Seek_and_you_will_find/Parshah_Talk/Parshah_Talk.html
It seems to work now.
To All that may read this: I am slow in replies, so many children in our lives needing all types of attention! But I do want to add to the things writen, that there are so many different types of prayers.
One very well written book that talks about several types of prayers is “The Divine Conspiracy”-by Dallas Willard , Pages 215-269, and several other pages on prayer, are listed in the index– HarperSanFrancisco–a division of Harper CollingsPublishers
– Another book, totally unorthodox for most of us, has been such a joy for me, for about 30 years, it is An Autobiography-“Madame Guyon, Her sole crime was loving God.” –
-Madame Guyon lived from (1648-1717) wrote this introspective account of her life while imprisoned unjustly. It was the church itself that imprisoned her. Yet, she was inundated with the power of God through the Holy Spirit, and lived out and walked out His Love in a wicked and evil world and often the church was in the same condition. —- If time is a factor, start with Part !! of the book, but you will miss a lot!
It is not easy to read because she was in prison when writing & in her later years, and is not in very much of a logical sequence, she had to recall a life of devotion and great tragedy and loses, and constant mistreatment. Her prayer life and often in silent communion doing it, are awesome examples of truly walking in God’s Holy Spirit.
Madame Guyon came from a modest wealthy family and was married at 15 to a much older man that was considerable wealthy. She lived in his mother’s home, and was detested by her mother-in-law. Servants surrounded her to see that she was not seen praying. Several of her children died early.—- Oh dear Saints of God, and those wanting to walk so close to Him, do not miss this wonderful true story. Truly an example of being ” In the Apostolic” way!— At times, you will see the lack of her understanding the Bible as we are able today. But God is still faithful, although she suffers so very much.
The time period she lived makes it so real to the reader, how God has always had his true servants, no matter what the world was doing! Oh, how I want to be one of those servants! L.B.
Some published small booklets written by her, are available, but I do not have any.
MOODY PRESS publishes it ; under Biograhpy.( I have not checked to see if it is still available, let me know if not, I have some publishers catalogues that get out of date Christian books.)
Everything I’ve come to know about prayer, I’ve learned from the Garden…the example of Jesus. I’ve known prayer on my face before a Living God in the condition of brokenness and despair and in the condition of praise and worship. I found that praying the Word of God is best that comes from my lips. Praying His Word back to Him. Pleading His Word, worshiping with His Word. Praying His Word….the ulimate secret of intimacy and power on this side of heaven.
Well stated Kelly,
Adonai does say that His Word will not return to Him empty or without value. I would say your words ring true …. thanks for this input! 🙂