This post is part of a 40-day journey following Jesus in his prayer life. We’ll explore virtually every reference in the Gospels to Jesus and prayer. For a more in-depth treatment, see my book Prayers from the Pit.
“Now is my soul troubled. And what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? But for this purpose I have come to this hour. Father, glorify your name.’ Then a voice came from heaven: ‘I have glorified it, and I will glorify it again’” (John 12:27-28 ESV).
The shadow of the cross falls on Jesus as these words fall from his lips. The “hour” of which he speaks is the hour of his death. His soul is troubled because of the suffering before him.
To cope, Jesus prays. He confesses that he faces two choices for a prayer strategy: “Father, save me from this hour” or “Father, glorify your name.” The second choice is a plea for God to use Jesus’ suffering for divine purposes. It is a prayer for God to reveal something about himself through the suffering of his son. Thus, the choice comes down to this: “Father, save me from this suffering” or “Father, use me in this suffering.” Jesus chooses to pray the latter.
What trial is taking place in your life right now? What suffering is before you? Though you may want to pray, “Father, save me from this suffering” consider Jesus’ alternative. What would it mean for you to pray “Father, use me in this suffering”? Take a few moments to identify a circumstance that brings you pain or suffering. Ask God to glorify himself in it, to use that trial for his purposes in your life.
