Lately, I've been contemplating the entire Atonement. The suffering in Gethsemane followed by the crucifixion. What has struck me--many times at all hours of the day--is the intense weariness that Christ must have felt as he stood from the weight of the sins of the world to face the betrayal of one of his disciples. In that moment, I wonder, how tired He was, how bone weary. When I think of it, I wonder how I can ever complain about my life or my circumstances. When I want to buck out or quit I think about how achy and tired the Savior was as He walked out of the garden. Only to be beaten and then have a wooden cross placed on His back as He carried it up the hill. I'm in awe of His perseverance and His love. If I can only obtain a tiny measure of that moxie then I will have grown so much on this earth.
The only way the Savior could endure the Atonement was through the love for and faith in his Father and the supporting ministration of angels.
ReplyDeleteAs we learn to pray always, we can access that strength and support as well when we "pray always."
"At a minimum, praying always would mean that we should assume a reverent, prayerful attitude while we go about our daily activities. This would include continual communication, worship, awareness, gratitude, accountability to God for our actions, and recognizing our total dependence on the Lord. This prayerful attitude is the engine that drives humility and the purification of the heart; this attitude raises the antenna of revelation and flags opportunities to serve.
"Continual prayer forms a shield of protection against the adversary, whose attacks are as persistent as should be our prayers. To the Nephites, Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always, lest ye be tempted by the devil, and ye be led away captive by him. . . . Behold, verily, verily, I say unto you, ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name.”[vi] Larry Barkdull, Meridian
There is so much wickedness in the world today. It's easy to become jaded, burdened, weary of the ugliness. Learning to 'pray always' can ease our burdens and infuse us with light that lifts and raises our spiritual antennas.
I love you.