Then he went forward a little way, and fell with his face upon the earth, and prayed to the Father:
"Oh, my Father! My Father!" he cried. "Thou canst do anything! Take this cup away from me, I pray! Yet, I do not ask to have my own will, but only what is thy will."
"The cup" of which Jesus spoke was the terrible suffering that was very soon to come upon him. In those last moments, as he saw his trial and death drawing near like a black cloud, his spirit shrank. So earnest was his prayer, that the sweat stood upon his face in drops of blood. Just then came an angel from heaven, standing by his side to cheer and help him.
Ancient olive tree, in the garden of Gethsemane
He rose up, and walked to the place where he had left the three disciples. They had fallen asleep, being overcome with the trouble which they felt in knowing that soon they were to lose their Master. Jesus spoke to Peter,
"Simon, are you sleeping? Could you not watch with me for a single hour? Watch and pray, all of you, that you may be kept from being tempted. I know that your spirit is willing, but your bodies are weak."
Again he went away, and prayed in the same words:
"My Father! My Father! Thou canst do anything! Take this cup away from me! Yet, I would not have my own will, but thy will."
Coming back, he found them again asleep, for their eyes were heavy and they could not keep them open. When awaked, they did not know what to say to him, for they were ashamed of being found asleep a second time. Jesus left them, and prayed for the third time. In this prayer he said: