Last month we saw the centrality of helplessness in prayer. Powerful petitioning of God begins with a sense of our own weakness. However, this is not sufficient by itself. Helplessness on its own will soon descend into hopelessness unless it is combined with a heart of faith in the God who can provide. Bringing our emptiness to God in prayer must be done with confidence in his fullness to meet our needs. Faith-filled prayer is the second side of the coin of supplication.
As before, the Garden of Gethsemane and the example of Jesus open up our understanding to this essential element of prayer. Jesus’ weakness is real, but despite his desperation, his prayer is clearly not hopeless. Listen to his words: ‘O my Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will’ (Matthew 26:39).
