“Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, ‘Sit here while I go over there and pray.’ He took Peter, and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

Then he said to them, ‘My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.’ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’

 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. ‘Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?’ he asked Peter. ‘Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.’

He went away a second time and prayed, ‘My father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.’ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.”
Matthew 26:36-44

Which of those prayers gave Jesus the strength that he needed to go to the cross?
Was it the first time he went to pray?
Or was it the second time?
Or was it the third time?
Or was it a combination of the three times?

And which of those sayings touched God and triggered the strength he needed?
Was it the first time he said it?
Was it the second time he said it?
Or was it the third time he said it?

Now think: Are you willing in your life, in your walk with God, in your prayer life, to go up the mountain and spend three hours saying the same thing?
Are you accustomed to tenacity?
Do you adopt tenacity when contrary winds blow your way?
Is it your style?
Are you willing to keep at something till it yields the desired result?

Memory Verse:
Matthew 26:44
So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

Prayer: 
O Lord, strengthen me to employ tenacity when faced with tough challenges, in Jesus’ name.
Amen.