One quiet night, Jesus and His friends walked to a garden called Gethsemane. The moon shone softly, and the stars twinkled like tiny diamonds in the dark sky. The garden was full of olive trees, their leaves whispering gently in the cool night breeze.
Jesus felt very sad and a little scared. He knew something very hard was going to happen soon. He told His friends, “Stay here and keep watch with me.” Then Jesus walked a little farther away, so He could pray to God alone.
Jesus knelt down on the soft grass. He looked up at the sky and talked to His Father in heaven. He said, “Father, if it is possible, please take this hard thing away from me. But I want to do what you want, not what I want.” Jesus trusted God very much, even though He was feeling very worried.
His heart felt like a heavy stone, and His sweat was like drops of water falling to the ground. It was like He was carrying the sadness of the whole world. Jesus prayed again, “Father, please help me.” He wanted to be strong to do God’s plan.
After a while, Jesus went back to His friends. But they were so tired that they were sleeping! Jesus said, “Why are you sleeping? Can’t you stay awake and pray with me?” He wanted them to be close and ready to help.
Jesus knew that soon, some soldiers would come to take Him away. He was not afraid because He loved God and all the people very much. Jesus showed us how to pray when we are scared or sad: we can talk to God and ask Him to help us.
Even when things are hard, God listens to our prayers. Jesus showed us how to trust God with everything in our hearts. The quiet garden was full of love, even in the darkest night.
Questions to think about
- Why did Jesus go to the garden to pray?
- How did Jesus feel when He prayed?
- What did Jesus ask God to do?
- Why did Jesus want His friends to stay awake?
- How can we pray when we feel scared or sad?
Message of the story
Jesus shows us that we can always talk to God when we feel afraid or sad, and God will help us be strong.
Bible passage
Matthew 26:36-46
Matthew 26:36-46 (ICB)
Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane. He said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.”
Jesus took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee with him. He became very sad and troubled. Then he said to them, “My soul is very sad, even to death. Stay here and watch with me.”
Jesus went a little farther and bowed down with his face to the ground. He prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, take this cup of suffering away from me. But do what you want, not what I want.”
Jesus came back to his disciples and found them sleeping. He said to Peter, “Couldn’t you stay awake with me for one hour? Watch and pray so you will not be tempted. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.”
Jesus left them again and prayed a second time. He said, “My Father, if this cup cannot be taken away unless I drink it, your will be done.”
Jesus came back and found them sleeping again. Their eyes were heavy.
Jesus left them and prayed a third time. Then he came back to his disciples and said, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the time has come. The Son of Man will be handed over to sinners.”
“Get up! Let’s go! Look, my enemy is coming!”
