If the Lord wakes us up to pray

SUMMARY: The disciples slept while Jesus prayed in Gethsemane before his crucifixion. He rebuked Peter for not staying awake and told them to watch and pray so they wouldn't fall into temptation. Jesus still needs prayer partners in our human condition, and our prayers could make the world a better place if we accompany Jesus in his eternal mission to intercede for us and all creation. We should pray without delay and live alert and vigilant in the Kingdom.

Have you ever been aware that you are sleeping (or in that lethargy where we do not know if we are asleep or not) and have you heard the voice of God calling you to pray? You want to pray but your eyes are closed and you can't help it. Have you fallen asleep in the middle of prayer? I invite you, dear brothers and sisters, to search the Word for the passage of the Gospel according to Mark, verses 37-41. The Master prays that anguished prayer in Gethsemane before being handed over to the local authorities and finally being crucified. The disciples, very close, slept.

The Lord, after an hour of prayer, went to see if his disciples accompanied them in that bitter moment of praying, knowing that one of them had hatched a plan to deliver him. The prophecy was about to be fulfilled. He wanted to know if his disciples were accompanying him in prayer, but they were sleeping. The Lord particularly rebukes Peter. Couldn't you stay awake for an hour? (37b). Jesus tells Peter a great truth The spirit is willing, but the body is weak (38b). History was going to repeat itself two more times. The Lord retires to pray, returns a third time and finds them sleeping and resting. His scolding was immediate. He had commanded you to watch and pray that you do not fall into temptation! (38a).