God's PlansSample

15. Abba, Father

Why: God’s plans bind us to fellowship

Lectio. “‘Abba, Father,’ he said, ‘everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will.’” (Mark 14:36, NIV – read Mark 14:32–42).

Meditatio. Oppressed by persecution, betrayal, and abandonment; afflicted, anguished, sorrowful, and discouraged, Jesus could have done anything, but chose to pray. More than that, He remained in fellowship with the Father and continued to give Himself in ministry.

Oratio. Pray as Jesus prayed: remember your relationship with the Father; exalt His absolute power; surrender your desires; deny yourself; embrace the divine will. Live God’s plans through prayer.

Contemplatio. See Jesus entering Gethsemane, the oil press. Contemplate His suffering under so much oppression. Now notice how, in three hours of persevering prayer, He rose ready to face torture and death.

Confessio. The Gethsemane prayer is precious to me. I have used this plea as Jesus did, insisting on its five movements, until my anguish, sorrow, and discouragement gradually turned into endurance and resilience.