Oh God please help us to shine in this space,
& also to communicate from you
the flavour of your reign within this place,
like Jesus did - whose spirit still wants to..
We love the way you work within your world -
your partnering with us to help us grow
and learn to lead like him who was so hurled
out to deserted places, so we’d know
how to depend on you yourself - our Dad,
and see that he could truly lead us well.
You made a great choice - & it’s not so bad
as all our options - taking us to hell..
So, thanks to you. And too, I’d like to start
and follow in all actions, life, and thought,
your choice of who’s to lead, who’s set apart.
He’s very good. And I know that I ought.
I say this, and I mean it as I do,
but there are parts of me that aren’t in line..
I do not love some consequences, you
would know which ones. I’ll trust you still to shine
your light of goodness, even when things seem
quite horrible, and hateful to my self…
We’ll learn commitment from him, and to team
with you, as he did, showing human health!
And too internal fortitude, to hold,
to what we know is true, but don't appear.
Your breath, your animating spirit, bold,
will help us to live like you’re really near.
[36] Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” [37] He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee and began to be grieved and agitated. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is deeply grieved, even to death; remain here, and stay awake with me.” [39] And going a little farther, he threw himself on the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me, yet not what I want but what you want.” [40] Then he came to the disciples and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, “So, could you not stay awake with me one hour? [41] Stay awake and pray that you may not come into the time of trial; the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [42] Again he went away for the second time and prayed, “My Father, if this cannot pass unless I drink it, your will be done.” [43] Again he came and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] So leaving them again, he went away and prayed for the third time, saying the same words. [45] Then he came to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and taking your rest? Now the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Get up, let us be going. Look, my betrayer is at hand.” [47]
While he was still speaking, Judas, one of the twelve, arrived; with him was a large crowd with swords and clubs, from the chief priests and the elders of the people. [48] Now the betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “The one I will kiss is the man; arrest him.” [49] At once he came up to Jesus and said, “Greetings, Rabbi!” and kissed him. [50] Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you are here to do.” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus and arrested him. [51] Suddenly one of those with Jesus put his hand on his sword, drew it, and struck the slave of the high priest, cutting off his ear. [52] Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all who take the sword will die by the sword. [53] Do you think that I cannot appeal to my Father, and he will at once send me more than twelve legions of angels? [54] But how then would the scriptures be fulfilled, which say it must happen in this way?” [55] At that hour Jesus said to the crowds, “Have you come out with swords and clubs to arrest me as though I were a rebel? Day after day I sat in the temple teaching, and you did not arrest me. [56] But all this has taken place, so that the scriptures of the prophets may be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples deserted him and fled. (Matthew 26:36-56 NRSVUE)
