GOD ON MUTE

How am I going to get through this?

“And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ … He said, ‘Abba, Father, for you all things are possible; remove this cup from me; yet, not what I want, but what you want.’” - Mark 14:34,36

Pause

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” - Psalm 23:4

Reflect

  • Bible: He took with him Peter and James and John, and began to be distressed and agitated. And he said to them, ‘I am deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and keep awake.’ And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. - Mark 14:33-35

  • Book: “When our souls, like Christ’s, are overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death, we do not necessarily pray like Jesus. In fact, we may barely pray at all … I was scared that Sammy might die if I didn’t pray enough, or if I didn’t have enough faith, or if I didn’t fast enough, or if I didn’t bind some disembodied principality, or if I didn’t repent of some root sin, or if I didn’t strap her body on a stretcher bound for Bethel or Lourdes. Surely, I thought, God would not disqualify her on a technicality? I’m ashamed to admit that this was how my prayer life looked when it really counted. Sammy’s faith frequently amazed me, but I prayed it best like a child and at worst like an addict needing to score.” (p.24)

Ask

  • Describe the deepest grief that you have ever experienced.

  • How afraid were you in the midst of that dark valley, and what were you most afraid of?

  • Name two people who stood strong for you when sorrow and pain brought you to your knees? What did this strength look like?

  • How is our prayer life similar to or different from Jesus?

  • What is the structure of your prayer?

  • Have you ever felt like the power of your prayer was disqualified due to a technicality? Explain.

  • Whose faith has amazed you and why?

  • What prayer do you need answered today? Have you shared that prayer request with anyone? Why or why not?

Yield

A fourteenth-century prayer of trust from Thomas a’ Kempis:

O Lord my God,

do not be far from me.

My God, have regard to help me.

I have many thoughts and great fears afflicting my soul. 

How will I pass through unhurt? 

How will I break them to pieces? 

This is my hope, my one only consolation,

to flee to you in every tribulation,

to trust in you,

to call on you from my inmost heart,

and to wait patiently for your consolation.



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