A Bunny, Eggs & Jesus? Help Kids Untangle The Easter MessageSample

Sleeping…. I mean, praying

Do you have a favorite spot to pray? Maybe you like to sit in your favorite chair with a cup of coffee or perhaps you enjoy praying outside in a local park. Jesus and His disciples often went to a garden called Gethsemane to pray. The name literally means “olive press” and it is situated on a slope of the Mount of Olives. The most famous mention of this garden came the night before Jesus was crucified.

Following the Passover meal, the disciples came with Jesus to the garden to pray. Jesus took Peter, James and John to a location that was separate from the others. He made a request of them—watch and pray. Why pray? Jesus said, “so they wouldn’t fall into temptation.” Much like many of us would have done, they fell asleep. It didn’t happen once. Twice Jesus had to wake them and ask them to pray.

While the disciples were praying (err… sleeping), Jesus went further into the garden and the Bible describes two times where Jesus asked His Father to “take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” How did the Father respond? Luke’s account says that God sent an angel to strengthen Him.

As parents, it’s sometimes hard to find dedicated times of quiet to pray. On this Passion Week, let’s be extra vigilant in this regard. Let’s be intentional about setting aside time to pray and develop that fellowship with our Father.

Do you want to teach your children the importance of prayer? Find a helpful devotion here.