Prayer Succeeds

 

In the Gospel of Luke, we are told that one of Jesus’ disciples, we aren’t told which one, said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.” (Luke 11:1 NKJV). And Jesus taught them a prayer they can model, what we know as the Lord’s Prayer.

However, Matthew’s account is quite different; he says that Jesus was teaching His disciples what they shouldn’t and should do when they pray, then He recited the model prayer.

Jesus Himself used parts of this model prayer when He, in His humanity, was in mental anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, and prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39 NKJV), not once but three times.

Our Father in heaven…Your will be done (Matthew 6:9, 10 NKJV)

In those agonising hours Jesus’ soul was very sorrowful, even to death. He asked Peter, and the brothers, James and John to remain here, and watch with me but they all fell asleep, not one stayed awake.

And he came to the disciples and found them sleeping. And he said to Peter, “So, could you not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” – Matthew 26:40-41 (NKJV)

So that you are not led or enter into temptation, you must watch and pray, be spiritually aware or awake.

Beloved, these same disciples had, just a little while earlier, promised to die for Jesus (v 35) and now they could not keep their eyes open not even for one hour.

During this sorrowful and troubled time Jesus prayed the same prayer three times, always emphasizing that it is all up to the Father’s will.

The disciples’ intentions may have been good but good intentions weren't enough. You need to be faithful in your prayer life.

Too often we tell persons that we will pray for them and never say a word to God about them. I will admit that I have done that many times.

The disciples failed Jesus when He needed them to bolster Him in prayer and we fail those persons whom we promise to pray for but don’t.

As Jesus said, The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Your spirit is indeed willing but your soul, which governs the body (flesh), needs to be reined in. It wanders away, distracted by the things of this world. There is a danger in that.

Beloved, in moments of temptation, where your flesh is weak, prayer succeeds.

You may look at Peter, James and John and cannot understand how they could do that to Jesus, especially in His hour of desperation; but aren’t you just the same? Instead of being alert, you fall asleep when you should be praying desperately to your Father, especially in these desperate times we’re living in.

You get comfortable, letting your guard down when you should be in constant communion with God, praying continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17), mumbling like Hannah as she prayed from her soul (1 Samuel 1:13).

Your prayers must be genuine, coming from deepest within you (Psalm 103:1).

As Jesus told His disciples, when you pray, go into your room, and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly. (Matthew 6:6 NKJV).

Beloved, prayer succeeds when you are open, honest, diligent, persistent and intentional with your Father in heaven. So, pray.

Amen †

 

Shelley Johnson “Prayer Succeeds” ©2026 January 25, 2026