And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like  great drops of blood falling down to the ground.  Luke 22:44.

Only once in the Bible is this word translated “agony” and it is here.  What depths open before us as we read this passage, and see what laboring in prayer really means.  It means seeing the world’s sin somewhat as Christ saw it.  It means seeing the world’s need somewhat as Christ saw it.  It means assenting utterly as Christ did, to God’s judgment upon sin.  And it means entering so into the will of God about the world’s deliverance from sin, that for that end we are willing to lay down our lives.  To really labor in prayer it is necessary that we feel something of the Savior’s conception of sin, and an inner intimate fellowship with His sufferings.  It is only after we have been in the garden with Him that we learn the deeper lessons of the school of prayer.

George C. H. MacGregor 

About the Author: George H.C. MacGregor was a notable participant in the Keswick Convention, an evangelical, teaching series begun in the 1870s and still in existence. During his brief ministry he was among the most influential Christian teachers in England. He died in 1900 at the age of 36.

Prayer Requests

• Thank you for lifting up Caleb (Greg’s son) and Steve (our brother).  They are both improving, but still need prayer.  Also, please pray thanks to God for the good changes in our government and to protect and guide our leaders and to defend Israel.  Bless Israel.

• An anonymous person asks that we “pray for God’s will to be done in the reconciliation of my and Penny’s engagement and relationship.”

• Please pray for Diane to get a reliable vehicle. She is one of our faithful morning prayer warriors but is now unable to join us because she needs a car.

• Pray for Rod’s business contract to get signed.  Pray for Rod and me to walk a new life and to stop getting trapped back into old patterns.  Pray for total healing of my left hand.

The following are anonymous requests:

• Father, please help me to not hurt Chris. Pray that he understands our relationship is not one of partnership, but one of friendship.  Also, my relationship with Mia is so painful. Please ask God to heal it.

• Pray for Kari who recently lost her baby boy. Pray that God will comfort her and that she will be able to remain strong in her faith.