God Hears Your Prayers

Let’s go to the Garden of Gethsemane where Jesus shows us how to face our fears. At the cross of Golgotha, Jesus took our place and our punishment. To do that, he had to face his fears in the Garden of Gethsemane. In Matthew 26: 39, Jesus said, "My father, if it is possible to let this cup of suffering be taken away, yet I want your will to be done not mine." The cup equals God’s anger, His judgment, His punishment, His wrath, and Jesus’ separation from his father and his physical death. God would make him who knew no sin to be sin for us. Jesus was afraid. But he didn’t stay afraid. His fears didn’t keep him from fulfilling his mission. What he did with his fears shows us what to do with ours: 1. Jesus prayed specific prayers 2. Jesus prayed publicly He prayed. He asked his friends, Peter, James and John, to stay awake and pray for strength. Jesus faced his ultimate fear with honest prayers. Find your Peter, James and John, and ask them to pray for you. And you pray for them. Let’s not complicate prayer. Jesus’ garden prayer was short. He trusted his Father. Begin prayer with "Our Father, Abba, Dad." Take your worst fears to your Dad. Ask Him to take this cup from you. Be clear about your fears. I’m afraid of _________. If it is possible, take this cup from me. But not my will, Yours be done. Be honest with your Dad. God hears your prayers. He loves you. Talk to Him. Read His word. Pray. Pray with friends. Love God. Love others. Let us pray:

Our Father in heaven,

set the world right. Do what is best

as above, so below. Feed us today. Keep us forgiven with You and forgiving others. Keep us safe from ourselves and evil. You are in charge! You wow us! Yes! Yes! Yes! Amen.