Grant Me to Follow Your Example in Gethsemane

Grant Me to Follow Your Example in Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36–46; Mark 14:32–42; Luke 22:40–46

Preaching Themes: Passion of Jesus

Prayer Type: Petition

I bless you, and give thanks to you, O Lord Jesus Christ, Maker and Redeemer of all the faithful, for the sad beginning of your most bitter passion; for the exceeding distress of your soul; for the anxiety and dread which you felt when, as the hour of your betrayal drew nigh, you began to be fearful and very sad. Nor were you ashamed of confessing this sadness to your disciples, for you said: “My soul is sorrowful even unto death.”

O most loving Jesus, my only hope in every trouble and distress, make me, I pray, to ponder with a heart full of compassion the sorrowful beginning of this your blessed passion, and from this sad prelude to go on by degrees to meditate upon the still more bitter parts of it, so that I may be able, from each part, to gather for the wounds of my soul some healing medicine.

Grant that I may bear with patient courage, for the glory of your name, whatever troubles may be awaiting me, so that I may never fall into despair, no matter how severe the tribulation may be, but may in all things resign myself to the good pleasure of your divine providence.

Thomas à Kempis

 Ritzema, E. (Ed.). (2012). 400 Prayers for Preachers. Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.