Life Recovery Bible - Flipbook - Page 53
S E R E N I T Y P R AY E R D E V O T I O N A L
GOD grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change
the courage to change the things I can
and the wisdom to know the difference
Amen
READ MATTHEW 26:36-39
As we work through the
steps of recovery, we look
up a long, difficult road
toward a better life.
Although we know our goal of recovery is worthy of our commitment, we often find the challenge of working through the process
overwhelming. As God deals with our defects, we may wish there were
some other way. We may feel fear, a lack of confidence, deep anguish,
or a host of other emotions that threaten to stop us in our tracks.
Jesus understands how we feel. He had similar emotions the night
he was arrested. His friends were nearby, but when he needed them,
they were asleep. He told his friends, “My soul is crushed with grief
to the point of death” (Matthew 26:38). As he realized the enormity
of the pain he would face, he looked for some other way. He was not
immediately able to accept the path set before him. He struggled and
prayed the same thing three times: “My Father! If it is possible, let
this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will to
be done, not mine” (26:39). Finally Jesus found the grace to accept
God’s plan.
We may be overwhelmed as we face our own cross on the way to
our new life. But during times of stress, we can go to Jesus for encouragement and express our deepest emotions about our struggles. As we
cry out for help, we can be confident that he will give us the strength
we need for the next step. Turn to page 1275, Mark 14.
30
Then they sang a hymn and went out to
the Mount of Olives.
Jesus Predicts Peter’s Denial
31
On the way, Jesus told them, “Tonight all
of you will desert me. For the Scriptures say,
‘God will strike* the Shepherd,
and the sheep of the flock will be
scattered.’
But after I have been raised from the dead,
I will go ahead of you to Galilee and meet
you there.”
33
Peter declared, “Even if everyone else de
serts you, I will never desert you.”
34
Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth,
Peter—this very night, before the rooster
crows, you will deny three times that you
even know me.”
35
“No!” Peter insisted. “Even if I have to die
with you, I will never deny you!” And all the
other disciples vowed the same.
32
Jesus Prays in Gethsemane
36
Then Jesus went with them to the olive
grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit
here while I go over there to pray.” 37 He took
Pe
ter and Zeb
e
dee’s two sons, James and
John, and he became anguished and distressed. 38 He told them, “My soul is crushed
with grief to the point of death. Stay here and
keep watch with me.”
39
He went on a little farther and bowed
with his face to the ground, praying, “My
Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your
will to be done, not mine.”
40
Then he returned to the disciples and
found them asleep. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t
you watch with me even one hour? 41 Keep
watch and pray, so that you will not give in
to temptation. For the spirit is willing, but
the body is weak!”
42
Then Jesus left them a second time and
prayed, “My Father! If this cup cannot be
26:31 Greek I will strike. Zech 13:7.
1239
