Then the angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him.
Dear Holy Father I come before You in the mighty and powerful name of Your precious Son, Jesus Christ of Nazareth in thanksgiving and praise for the finished work of the cross. As I read Your Holy Word this morning regarding Your Son praying to You in the garden of Gethsemane, I am struck by the words; an angel came to Him from heaven and strengthened Him. When it came time for You Jesus to do the most obedient thing anyone in history has ever done, freely giving up Your life to pay the ransom of others, You knelt down before Your Father in heaven and prayed. Father God did not leave You in Your agony, but sent a ministering angel to strengthen You, and You prayed more earnestly. In Your humanity asking the Father if it would be His will to take the cup of wrath from You, but in Your Deity and Majesty surrendered and submitted Your will to His. I ask forgiveness for the times I've been reluctant, disobedient, cowardly to come under Your authority. Far to often this has delayed the blessings from coming or ever being revealed to teach me more about Your love. Father, You have placed free will into us from the beginning of creation, and it is the cause of many struggles. How I desire to live as a reed blowing in the wind, always bending to the direction of the breeze. My desire to live in the center of Your will is not an easy one, when trials come my neck stiffens and my knees don't bend and far to often rebellion creeps in. Forgive me Lord for my lack of trust in these times of testing. Forgive me Lord for my lack of patience as You are seeing to completion the good work You have so lovingly started in me and mine. Forgive me Lord as I have desire to see the finish work without enduring the process, denying You of Your rightly deserved glory. So this morning I withdraw a stones throw away for the world around me kneeling down to pray to You, my loving and kind Father in heaven, bringing my fears and concerns before the throne of grace and mercy. You have said "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him! Father, thank You for the greatest gift of salvation given through Your dear Son Jesus Christ. Thank You Father that You hear and bless my private requests on the behalf of my family and friends, loved ones and acquaintances. May all glory and honor be Yours for ever and ever, Amen.
Matthew 7:11 and Luke 22:39-46
