“…not My will, but Thine be done.”   (Luke 22:42)

After the last supper, Jesus journeyed to a place of pain.
Along with His disciples, he went to Gethsemane.
Taking Peter with Him, and the two sons of Zebedee,
He went off to pray.  He told them: “Watch with me.”

Going a little further, He prayed for what would be:
“Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me.”
“Not as I will, Father.” The Father’s will Jesus would keep.
Returning to His disciples, He found them asleep.

He put this to Peter: “Could you not watch one hour with me?”
Watch and pray You not be tempted.  This was Jesus’s plea.
Then these words were spoken, by Jesus mild and meek:
“The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

Jesus went a second time to pray “Thy will be done.”
This was the prayer prayed fervently by God’s only Son.
Jesus was in agony.  He was praying for us all.
Upon the ground like drops of blood His sweat had begun to fall.

Going back to His disciples, He found them again asleep.
Their eyes had grown so heavy.  It’s enough to make one weep.
Jesus again left to pray—as He’d done twice before.
May the will of God be done was His selfless prayer once more.

Then back to his disciples, who He found again were sleeping.
In His heart His love for us, Jesus was surely keeping.
Jesus said, “rise and let us be going.” It was time for them to stand.
He’d be handed off to sinners; the hour was now at hand.

When You call us to pray Lord, and to keep watch with Thee.
May You not find us sleeping; but praying fervently.
When persecution comes our way, when we no more can bear the pain,
May we embrace the Father’s will, in the Father’s will remain.
When we face our own Gethsemane, when we want to quit and run,
May we have the grace to pray with You, “Thy will be done.”