“And he came and found them sleeping, and he said to Peter, ‘Simon, are you asleep? Could you not watch one hour? Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.'”
Mark 14:37-38
Are you aware of how much you need God in daily life? It’s easy to profess when our lives take a treacherous turn, but for the most part — through good times, okay times, busy times, dull times — we are far more tempted to assume that, in general, we’ve got it covered. Enter Gethsemane.
Jesus has brought his disciples (sans-Judas) to the Mount of Olives to pray. When they arrive, he takes Peter, James, and John further on and says to them, “Remain here and watch.” Unbeknownst to them, he is about to be betrayed. As he is sweating blood, praying fervently because of the great task before him, Peter, James, and John begin nodding off. Later, Jesus is taken captive, Peter denies Him three times, and the rest is history.
Jesus wasn’t being flippant when he told them to watch and pray–He was going to the cross either way. He told them out of concern for their souls, that they would by praying to God be strengthened by Him for the hard road ahead of them. They fell asleep because they were admittedly tired, more concerned with taking care of their immediate need than praying to God that they wouldn’t enter into temptation.
As we pray through this month’s guide, I encourage all of us to see Jesus’ gracious statement (“The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak”) as a prodding toward honest time in prayer, being watchful for our own needy souls as we come to God with requests, thanksgiving, and everything in between. This is an act of faith that engages with so many layers of God’s grace toward us: by acknowledging our lack we come to a deeper understanding of what blessings we have in Christ, and by praying for ourselves and others we are joining in with Christ and the Holy Spirit themselves as they intercede (Romans 8:27, 34) on our behalf! When we are honest with God in prayer on a daily basis, we look to Him for perspective and strength on matters great and small, so that when the Roman soldiers come calling, we’ve already been relying on the One with the plan.
Join Us in Praying for Our Home Build!
This month we’re praying for the girl’s bathroom. This will be the first time the girls in our home will have their own bathroom. Read that again. “Excited” is an understatement.
How You Can Pray
Will you pray for who the girls see in their bathroom mirror? May they find all beauty, strength, and confidence in who Jesus says they are.
Local Church – Gachuurt, Mongolia
About Local Church:
Tumurbaatar has served this congregation for 10 years. They have recently purchased a property to meet on, and they have plans for a discipleship summit in August.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would help the church as they buy a property.
2) Pray for the growth of the church’s growth and the faith and health of the members.
3) Pray that God would grow his faith and keep his family healthy.
Pastor Alejandro Gago – Nicaragua
From Pastor Alejandro:
“I’ve been serving God for years. I used to lead a church but now I am serving as a missionary together with my family. Most of the time I’m traveling to different parts of Nicaragua preaching and seeking the lost, because we are called to serve, to go and live by faith. My family supports me, and I love what I do. My wife Raquel is a teacher, we have two daughters and a son together. Our ministry is located in Las Esquinas on the road to Managua. I’m planning to share the gospel on an island this coming week so keep us in your prayers like we are going to for you guys.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray God would bring more people to Christ.
2) Pray God would unite his people regardless of their differences to glorify Him together.
3) Pray that God would increase the faith of Pastor Alejandro and his family.
4) Pray for his time sharing the gospel on the island.
Mashbat – Driver, Mongolia
About Mashbat:
Mashbat was a driver for New Hope Children’s Home several years ago, and in the last year has returned to the post! Splitting his time between the countryside and an apartment in UB, he and his wife are two of the most welcoming people you could meet. We’re glad to have him back on board!
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would end the COVID pandemic. In Mongolia, things are still in lockdown.
2) Pray that God would heal Mashbat’s leg, so that he could stand without a crutch.
3) Pray God would protect Mashbat’s family from COVID.
Gerald Gonzalez – Teacher/Youth Pastor, Nicaragua
From Gerald:
“A few years ago my wife and I decided to take the challenge to be youth pastors. The church is Cristo Centrica, there are around 15 kids there, teens included. We thought, well, here we go. Now we have more than 30 youth. Young people that never visited a church, some that went to another church years ago, they’re all a part of our group now. They have been discipled and are serving with us. This is our call, to serve, help, equip and disciple the youth. This group has the desire to serve no matter what. It’s been a blessing as a married couple. We aren’t perfect, we make mistakes, but we are always able to go where the Lord wants us. I thank the pastors who trust us to do the work and also the church that supports us.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray for all the youth who need Jesus.
2) Pray for WEGO’s director’s health.
3) Pray that God would give my wife and I wisdom to keep doing His work.
Tulga – New Hope Children’s Home, Mongolia
About Tulga:
Tulga has been at New Hope Children’s Home for a few years now. He is as at home indoors with a board game as he is on the soccer field. Any time at all spent with him will reveal his immense curiosity. He loves to get his hands on new things, to examine them and figure out the world.
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that God would end the pandemic and heal the ones who are sick.
2) Pray that God would guide his future.
Milagros Cruz – New Hope School, Nicaragua
From Milagros:
“I am 13 years old in the 8th grade. My dad is a taxi driver. His name is Pedro and he’s 51 years old. My mom sells Avon products. Her name is Gema and she’s 40. I have two brothers and a sister with their own families. My mom and I go to Jesus Cristo Unida for church together. I’m learning piano. I love English and language, too. Learning English is a lot of fun. I have relatives in the USA, that’s why I want to learn. When I finish school I’m going to study business administration. I’d like to have my own business, like a bakery.”
How You Can Pray:
1) Pray that my dad will become a Christian.
2) Pray that God would help me and my family to love each other well.
3) Pray that God keeps me walking in faith.