Luke 22:39-446
As Jesus neared His most challenging time, He separated from the crowds to pray. He said, “…’Pray
that you may not enter into temptation.’” (40b). Then He separated from His disciples also. While crying
out for God to spare Him from what was to come, He persisted in prayer surrendering to God’s will.
“Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.” (43) In agony, He persisted in
prayer. When He returned He found the disciples sleeping from grief. “…and said to them, ‘Why are you
sleeping? Get up and pray that you may not enter into temptation.’” (46) We are not protected from
temptation by intelligence, discipline or strategy, but by persisting in prayer. Are we praying or are we
seeking a place of escape? The answer to this question determines or fate in temptation.