Prayer Vigil
He came out and went, as was his custom, to the Mount of Olives; and the disciples followed him. When he reached the place, he said to them, “Pray that you may not come into the time of trial.” – Luke 22:39-40
Following the last supper with his disciples, in the moments before his betrayal and arrest, it shouldn’t surprise us to find Jesus returning to the Mount of Olives—to the Garden of Gethsemane—to pray. Unlike many times when Jesus prays alone, this time he longed for company.
We can only imagine the fear coursing through his body as he approached his death. In his bodily anguish, sweat beaded and dripped to the ground as he prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me; yet, not my will but yours be done.”
So often, our deepest fears awaken in the night. The darkness and silence have a way of isolating us from life and magnifying our dread. Jesus was not immune to fear or loneliness, and in this moment, he asked his disciples to stay close. Their presence was a comfort to our Lord on what was surely one of his most difficult nights of earthly ministry.
What Jesus asks of his disciples then, he longs for from us now.
There is a Taizé hymn often sung during the Maundy Thursday stripping of the altar that repeats these haunting, beautiful words,
“Stay with me., remain here with me; watch and pray…
Stay with me., remain here with me; watch and pray.”
This Thursday night, I invite you to hold vigil with Jesus, beginning at the end of our Maundy Thursday service and continuing until the the start of the Good Friday liturgy. From 7:00 PM this Thursday until Noon on Good Friday, the church will be open for prayer. You can sign up HERE for one-hour increments to pray through the night.
We will have resources available: appointed collects, devotionals, scripture, our parish prayer list, and directory of members for you to hold in prayer. There will also be paper available if you prefer to pray through journaling or illustration. This is your time to Stay with God, remain with God, watch and pray.
You will not be alone—someone will always be present during each hour of the vigil. If the time slot you prefer is already filled, please know that you are still welcome to come. Just contact me so that we can maintain a full and safe roster of participants.
May your Holy Week be richly blessed.
Peace,
Morris+