In the Garden With Jesus - a Lent Journey for TeensSample

Praying over and over again.

Jesus repeated His request three times and used the same words (Matt 26:44). Jesus is not against repetition, but He is against empty repetition.

When we think of prayer, we tend to make it about the mind and saying the right words. But it is so much more than that, it is a matter of the heart.

The head must settle in the heart, and we have to learn the art of praying over and over again.

There is a repetitive prayer we can pray, a well-known prayer throughout history:

“Jesus. Son of God, have mercy on me.”

You can also do this prayer with your breath - “Jesus, (breathe out) have mercy on me (breathe in).

Just know you are not alone, as millions of Christians have benefitted from praying this way.

Exercise:

Take 5 minutes and pray this short prayer, using your breathing to help you find a rhythm of praying over and over again.

Prayer:

God, I ask for a deep awareness of Your love for me and Your work in me.