“When he rose from prayer and went back to the disciples, he found them asleep, exhausted from sorrow. “Why are you sleeping?” he asked them. “Get up and pray so that you will not fall into temptation.” (Luke 22:45-46)

     While Jesus asked his disciples to keep watch while he went off and prayed, it turns out that they did not follow through on this one simple request.  To be fair, they were “exhausted from sorrow,” but Jesus wanted to feel their presence, because he was feeling very alone and rejected. 

     When we feel alone in our troubles, it is good to reach out to God in prayer.  It is also helpful if we have others who are willing to pray for us and with us.  And we can be of service to others who are afflicted through pain or grief by praying for them and with them.  As people of faith, we can lift each other up through prayer.  We can let each other know of our love and concern for them by letting them know we are praying for them, and whenever possible, praying with them.

Prayer: Dear Lord, you commanded us to love one another.  When we stay in pray for one another, we feel that love, and help us to always remember the needs of others through prayer.  In Jesus’ name, Amen.