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I. THE RIGHT OF PETITION. We infer it to be a right.

1. Because it is a necessity of our nature. Prayer is a necessity of our humanity rather than a duty. The necessity to

(1)  that of sympathy;

(2)  the necessity of escaping the sense of a crushing fate.

2. We base this request on our privilege as children — "My Father."

3. Christ used it as a right, therefore we may. You cannot help praying if God's Spirit is in yours.

II. ERRONEOUS NOTIONS OF WHAT PRAYER IS. They are contained in that conception which He negatived, "As I will." A common conception of prayer is, that it is the means by which the wish of man determines the will of God. The text says clearly, "Not as I will." The wish of man does not determine the will of God. Try this conception by four tests.

1. By its incompatibility with the fact that this universe is a system of laws.

2. Try it by fact.

3. Try it by the prejudicial results of such a belief. Gives unworthy ideas of God. Consider the danger of vanity and supineness resulting from the fulfilment of our desires as a necessity.

4. It would be most dangerous as a criterion of our spiritual state if we think that answered prayer is a proof of grace. We shall be unreasonably depressed and elated when we do or do not get what we wish.

III. THE TRUE EFFICACY OF PRAYER — "AS Thou wilt." All prayer is to change the will human into submission to the will Divine. Hence we conclude —

(1) That prayer which does not succeed in moderating our wish, in changing the passionate desire into still submission, is no true prayer;

(2) That life is most holy in which there is least of petition and desire, and most of waiting upon God; in which petition often passes into thanksgiving.

(F. W. Robertson, M. A.)

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KJV: Then cometh Jesus with them unto a place called Gethsemane, and saith unto the disciples, Sit ye here, while I go and pray yonder.

WEB: Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, "Sit here, while I go there and pray."