First of all, I cannot imagine what it would be like to watch a trail of torches coming toward me with one intent: take my life and to do so in the cruelest of ways. Another reminder of the intentional love of Christ for a sinner like me.
This quote speaks to me in a big way, "The basic truth of these verses is that the disciples failed their Lord when it came time to act because they first failed him when it came time to prepare and pray. If we’re not careful, it can be easy to make the same mistake today." If I am honest with myself, I am not always careful to prepare with the prayer needed for the situation. When I do, of course I fail my Lord. It seems like such an easy step in the process but somehow the reality for me it is the most difficult.
I think of prayer like stretching before I run. I hate to stretch so I do not. So, my muscles are tight, and I do not get the most out of exercise. Same with my prayer, when I do not do the prayer preparation, I do not get the most out of activity. (spiritual)
"....Often, however, the purpose of prayer is to prepare us for the trials that only God knows are coming." This statement is another friendly reminder that I do not know what the future holds, so I need to take the steps necessary to be ready when life unfolds.