The 
Phases of Faith
Faith is the only way to grow in our relationship with God.
Wednesday, April 28, 2004
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Read your Bible more in 2004!
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, I know that in the end (and actually in the beginning!) prayer is always the avenue that leads to the assurance of Your presence, and Your commitment to fulfill Your dreams for my life. I pray fervently this morning that You will make me a prayer warrior, that I will turn to You first in every situation in life, that I will not take action in any area of my life without first consulting You—particularly when it comes to Your dreams for me. I pray that You will fill me with Your Holy Spirit afresh that I may sense Your presence with me throughout the day. I pray that all that I think, say and do will be caught up in Your abundant love and faithfulness. I pray that as I go about this day, that it will be a day of prayer, a day of commitment to You and Your will. All this I pray in Jesus’ name, and for the sake of His coming kingdom. Amen.
God's Word For Me Today
Matthew 26:36-39
36Then Jesus brought them to an olive grove called Gethsemane, and he said, “Sit here while I go on ahead to pray.” 37He took Peter and Zebedee’s two sons, James and John, and he began to be filled with anguish and deep distress. 38He told them, “My soul is crushed with grief to the point of death. Stay here and watch with me.”
39He went on a little farther and fell face down on the ground, praying, “My Father! If it is possible, let this cup of suffering be taken away from me. Yet I want your will, not mine.”
Reflecting on God's Word
What is the most difficult situation you have ever faced in your life? What part did God play in getting you through it?
When was the last time you went to the Lord in anguish over following His will to fulfill His dreams in your life?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
What situation brought Jesus and the disciples to the Garden of Gethsemane? (26:36)
What request of did Jesus make of the disciples—particularly Peter, James and John? (26:37-38)
What was the gist of Jesus’ prayer? (26:39)
Understanding God's Purpose
What do we learn about God through this Scripture reading?
Why do you suppose that Jesus was in such anguish, when He knew that God’s dream for Him was to die to take away the sins of the world?
Applying God's Word to Our Lives
What aspect of today’s Scripture can you apply to your life right now?
Thoughts...Praying the Price...
No great dream or plan of God has ever been fulfilled without prayer. Donald Baillie said in his Diary of Private Prayer, “Prayer is not a substitute for action. It is an action for which there is no substitute.” We believe that statement in our heads—at least sometimes we do. Yet, all too often when push comes to shove we seek to fulfill God’s will for our lives—or what we perceive to be God’s will just by working a little harder or persevering a little longer. Jesus faced the most difficult challenge of His life and of fulfilling His God-given dream to save humanity on that Thursday night in the Garden of Gethsemane. It helps us a great deal to know that in that time of challenge Jesus’ only action was PRAYER. If God’s dreams are going to be fulfilled in us, we must decide to “pray the price.” Jesus’ prayer was not some perfunctory, “Now I lay me down to sleep…” Jesus prayed and his sweat became as great drops of blood the effort was so great! Jesus persevered in prayer through several hours. His disciples slept through much of it. They were overwhelmed with the situation, and the need for sleep. Jesus prayed the price—and because of it He was equipped to pay the ultimate price the next day. Do you have a big dream from God? Then start (or keep on) praying the price to see it become a reality!