Prayer for the Millions

 Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak. 

~Mark 14:38 NIV 

A friend reminded me that 2000 years ago, the same moon that shines down tonight, shined down on a garden called Gethsemane near Jerusalem. Twelve men, Jesus and eleven of His disciples came there after the Passover supper to pray. Jesus asked His disciples to watch and pray that they not enter into temptation.  Jesus went a little farther, about a stone's throw away, and began to pray. 

As Jesus prayed, He began to sweat great drops of blood, so much so that it ran down and fell on the ground. He prayed for the death sentence upon Him to be removed, but only if it were the Father's will. No one wants to die, but no doubt Jesus had seen the agony and torture of a crucifixion. Even more than the crucifixion was the burden of the punishment for our sins that was upon him. He loved the Father and He loved us. He was willing to die that death if there was no other way to save us. You see, Jesus has also seen the torture and agony in the pits of hell that lasts far longer than a crucifixion. Hell lasts for all eternity.  

When Jesus returned to His disciples, they were asleep. He woke them up and asked again that they pray. The second time He found them asleep and woke them. The third time, He let them sleep. He knew the men and officers from the chief priests were on their way with Judas. The agony was just beginning. 

At this Thanksgiving season, have we taken the time to ponder what really happened over 2000 years ago? We're busy cooking, visiting, and eating Grandma's special dishes; stuffing ourselves into sleepy obliviousness. Have we allowed ourselves to be lulled to sleep while Jesus agonizes over souls that daily are going into the pits of hell? When is the last time we have agonized over lost friends and loved ones, over countries and nations, peoples and races? Jesus asks us to stay awake and pray so we don't enter into temptation, the temptation to just let life go on as normal. 

Heavenly Father, help us not forget the millions who are lost, who are fighting for their survival, who have never heard the gospel. Help us not forget You have commanded us to go into all the world and preach the gospel. We know you do not intend for us to leave anyone out, friend or enemy, Jew or Gentile. Help us remember the Pilgrims came here to freely worship the Lord. They reached out to Native Americans and later to others who settled here, both Jew and Gentile, black and white, all with whom they came in contact. Help us Lord to look around us and share the Gospel with all those You put in our path. In Jesus's name. Amen.