And when He rose up from prayer, and was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow. Luke 22:45

I pray that you were strengthen and encouraged as you gathered with the saints to worship at your local church on the Lord’s Day. May you walk faithfully in the strength of His word and give testimony of God’s faithfulness. I was encouraged to see among our gathering the faithfulness of some of the old saints who pressed beyond their issues of aging, personal illnesses, and failing health to come to the house of Lord. I am reminded of God’s faithfulness and encouraged by their strength of faith and desire to be in fellowship with God and His people. They come and sit quietly among the masses, only to beam with the glory of Lord to songs of praise and hearing the word of truth. Sorrow does not derail them, it is a pathway to prayer, hope, and strength. The scripture passage reminds us of the stress and weariness of sorrow. When Jesus “was come to His disciples, He found them sleeping for sorrow.” They had just heard Him tell of His soon departure and His ensuing death. They were overwhelmed and exhausted with sorrow as it sapped and drained the energy to their souls. We are all vulnerable to sorrow and it is something that we all will encounter. It is part of living. And when it comes, sorrow is exhausting. But Jesus saw them sleeping and encouraged them not to be overcome with sorrow, but to “rise and pray” (Lk 22:46). Prayer pries open the doors of sorrow to allow God’s presence, God’s love, and God’s merciful comfort and care to flood upon our fainted soul. His presence protects us. His love strengthens us. And by His mercies, He provides to us “according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:19). My friend, resist the temptation to lay down in your sorrow, but hear the Spirit of God say to your soul, “rise and pray.” It is through prayer and meditation in the word of God that our heavenly Father comforts us and gives us strength (Ps 119:28). Dear friend, seek the Lord through prayer and share your sorrows with Him. Pray to Him and see Him resurrect “the joy of the Lord” (Neh 8:10) out of your sorrow. Father thank You for Your eternal love and the renewed strength that is Yours through prayer. Help me not to fade and faint in my sorrows, but to “rise and pray.” In the blessed Name of Jesus. Amen.