Come after Me: Family as a disciple of Jesus: Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus agony in the garden: Prayer is the remedy

Luke Chapter 22/ 39 -46

 He then left to make his way as usual to the Mount of Olives, with the disciples following.

40 When he reached the place he said to them, 'Pray not to be put to the test.'

41 Then he withdrew from them, about a stone's throw away, and knelt down and prayed.

42 'Father,' he said, 'if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.'

43 Then an angel appeared to him, coming from heaven to give him strength.

44 In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood.

45 When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief.

46 And he said to them, 'Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test.'

Reflection on this sacred mystery of agony of Jesus in garden reveals the salivation hope for the families. The essence of this mystery uncovers a theme of prayer and the core value of prayers during struggles. It strengthens the soul with a realization that no situation is beyond God's control. Majority of the times prayer is the only hope we are left with during struggles or prayer is the only thing we could do while waiting with patience and hope for divine interventions into situations. Struggles within in any family is not small, however trivial it may appear to be. Family is a sacred sanctuary of God Himself on earth. Knowing this truth, enemy's unwanted distractions  and testings may trouble families, which may derail the purpose and focus of the family, if the family is not founded upon prayer. This mystery emphasizes that prayer is the weapon against the testings during struggles.

1. Prayer during agony: Individual and intercessary

Prayer is the center of this mystery, which may be applied to all the human situations. Jesus asked the disciples to pray during His agony stating, " When he reached the place he said to them, 'Pray not to be put to the test.'" Jesus prayed and he  instructed the disciples to pray as well. This situation highlights the importance of individual prayers and intercessory prayers.

2. Prayer of Surrender

Next in this mystery, we can see how Jesus Himself prayed. The prayer of surrender, which teaches us the manner with which we have to pray during struggles. Jesus prayed by subjecting Himself to the Father's will, while He also expressed His will.

" Then he withdrew from them, about a stone's throw away, and knelt down and prayed. 42 'Father,' he said, 'if you are willing, take this cup away from me. Nevertheless, let your will be done, not mine.'"

3. Fervent Prayer

Further, Jesus prayer was a fervent prayer, as we witness this status of prayer in the Gospel as, "  In his anguish he prayed even more earnestly, and his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood." Fervent prayer is a serious, sincere, and focused prayer. The primary human comparison for fervent prayer status can be made to Mary the Mother of God who fervently prayed throughout Her life for Her son. Another human comparison may be the prayer of the Canaanite woman for her daughter. Another comparison may be stated from Jesus parable of a poor widow's fervent prayer for justice to the unjust ruler. Likewise, we can witness multiple saints' fervent prayers during agony through their life, which are recorded in the Gospel, in the history of Church, and in the life of saints.

4. Prayer that protects from the testings

Jesus instructs the disciples not to sleep but to pray to prevent fall into the temptations, as we can witness this instruction in the Gospel, " 45 When he rose from prayer he went to the disciples and found them sleeping for sheer grief.

46 And he said to them, 'Why are you asleep? Get up and pray not to be put to the test."

During struggles it is common for a person to fall into temptations and fatigue. However, there is a necessity of getting up and praying during those situations.

In conclusion of the reflection of Jesus agony in the garden, families agonies are many kind and it may involve many realms and perspectives of family life. The hope and assurance is that Jesus the way, light, and salvation of all human sufferings, as He Himself underwent agony in the garden. Specific spiritual knowledge which could help families include the remedy of prayer during agonies. Prayer is essential, surrender prayer is essential, fervent prayer is essential, and prayer of getting up from the temptations is essential during difficult times.

All glory and honor to the Holy Trinity. Amen!