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Luke 22: 39-44| King James Audio Bible | KJV | King James Version
‘And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the Mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.’ (Luke 22: 39-44)
Angels In The Old Testament | Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ
In the Old Testament, angels are described as celestial beings who act as messengers and servants of God. They appear in various forms, conveying vital messages and instructions to key figures such as Abraham, Moses, the prophets. For instance, the angel who appeared to Hagar in the wilderness provided comfort and guidance (Genesis 16:7-14, KJV):
‘And the angel of the Lord found her by a fountain of water in the wilderness, by the fountain in the way to Shur. And he said, Hagar, Sarai’s maid, whence camest thou? and whither wilt thou go? And she said, I flee from the face of my mistress Sarai. And the angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.’
Angels played a crucial role in the deliverance of God’s people, protecting them from harm, as seen during the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 14:19, KJV):
‘And the angel of God, which went before the camp of Israel, removed and went behind them; and the pillar of the cloud went from before their face and stood behind them.’
Furthermore, angels are associated with God’s divine judgment, as exemplified in the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah (Genesis 19:1-26, KJV). The belief in angels continued to grow throughout the Old Testament period, shaping the Jewish understanding of God’s intervention in the world and His divine order.
Angels In The Gospels | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
The presence of angels in the Gospels expressed incarnation of the divine in the person of Jesus Christ. Angels heralded Jesus’ coming, rejoicing in the birth of the Saviour. In the Gospel of Luke, an angel announced to the shepherds, ‘Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord’ (Luke 2:10-11, KJV).
Angels ministered to Jesus during significant moments of his earthly journey. After Jesus’ temptation in the wilderness, angels came and attended to Him (Matthew 4:11, KJV):
‘Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.’
When Jesus faced immense anguish in the Garden of Gethsemane, an angel appeared to strengthen Jesus (Luke 22:43, KJV):
‘And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him.’
The presence of the angels underscores profound connection between divine and human, as Jesus, God-Man, experiences the same care and interaction with angels that had been observed throughout the Old Testament.
There is an ongoing dialogue of love within the Trinity of God as through Creation.
Ascension Of Jesus | Love Revealed By Jesus Christ
As Jesus ascended to heaven, two angels appeared to the disciples, comforting them and affirming Jesus’ return (Acts 1:10-11, KJV):
‘And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven.’
It is again a moment of again continuity between the Old Testament and the New Testament, as the angels play a pivotal role in witnessing and announcing significant supernatural events.
Powerful Prayer To Jesus With The Angels | Meditations On The Love Of Jesus Christ
Dear Jesus,
I lift my heart to you, knowing that you are both fully divine and fully human, understanding the struggles and joys of our human existence. I thank you for your sacrifice on the cross, offering us the gift of eternal life and reconciliation with our Heavenly Father.
In the company of the angels, I seek your presence, knowing that they too worship and adore you. Just as they proclaimed your birth with joy to the shepherds, may they also lift up my prayers and praises before the throne of God.
Jesus, I ask for your guidance in my life’s journey. Send your angels to surround me and protect me from all harm and evil. Grant me discernment to know your will and the courage to follow it.
Help me to see the beauty of your creation with new eyes, recognizing the angels’ whispers in the rustling leaves and the gentle breeze. Let me be mindful of the angels’ presence, guiding me towards acts of kindness, love, and compassion.
May the angels sing heavenly melodies of praise in your honour, and may I join in that chorus, lifting my voice in worship and thanksgiving. As the angels ministered to you during moments of trial and temptation, I pray for their comfort and strength in times of my own struggles.
Jesus, may the angels be messengers of hope, carrying my prayers to the throne of grace. I pray for healing for the sick, comfort for the grieving, and peace for the troubled hearts.
In moments of doubt, may the angels remind me of your love and the promise of your return. Let them be a constant reminder of heaven, which awaits those who trust in you.
In all things, I surrender my life to your divine will, knowing that your angels are always at your command. Teach me to trust in your providence, and may your angels guard me day and night.
I pray all this in your precious and holy name, Lord Jesus, with the angels as my witnesses, and I place my trust in your infinite grace and mercy.
Amen.
Jesus taught us that family is not only about blood relationships but also about treating others with love and respect. He said that anyone who does the will of God is like family to him. So, as followers of Jesus, we should honour our parents and all those who have cared for us, showing them love, gratitude, and forgiveness [ … ]
Jesus goes to the Mount of Olives on a number of occasions to pray. It is good for us now to witness Jesus praying. When we pray, we pray with Jesus and according to his example [ … ]
Padre Pio, also known as Saint Pio of Pietrelcina, was an Italian Capuchin friar who lived from 1887 to 1968. He is renowned for his piety, his stigmata, and his gift of healing, and has become a beloved figure in the Christian world. Born into a devout Catholic family in Pietrelcina, Italy, Padre Pio felt a calling to the priesthood from a young age. He entered the Capuchin order in 1903 and was ordained a priest in 1910. He spent much of his life as a humble friar, dedicated to prayer, the sacraments, and the service of others. Padre Pio’s most famous spiritual gift was the stigmata, the visible wounds of Christ that he bore on his hands, feet, and side. He experienced this phenomenon for over 50 years, from 1918 until his death in 1968. While some were skeptical of his wounds, many believed them to be a sign of his profound union with Christ and his participation in the suffering of the crucified Christ. In addition to his stigmata, Padre Pio was also known for his gift of healing. Many people came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing, and he prayed over them, sometimes prescribing special devotions or treatments. While some were healed miraculously, others did not experience a physical cure, but nonetheless found comfort and peace through his intercession. Padre Pio’s life was marked by his devotion to God and his love for others. He spent long hours in prayer, often in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, and had a deep appreciation for the power of the Eucharist. He also had a special love for the Virgin Mary, whom he called his ‘Heavenly Mother’, and encouraged others to pray the Rosary. Today, Padre Pio is venerated as a saint by the Catholic Church, and his influence has spread far beyond Italy. He is remembered for his holiness, his humility, and his profound union with Christ, as well as for his compassion and concern for the sick and suffering. Christians of all denominations continue to look to him as a model of faith and devotion to God. Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Healing Saint Padre Pio is renowned for his gift of healing, which he used to help countless people throughout his life. He believed in the power of prayer and the importance of placing our trust in God, even in the face of illness and suffering. In James 5:16, we are reminded that ‘the prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective’. Padre Pio’s life was a testament to the truth of this verse, as he interceded for those who came to him seeking physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. One of the most striking examples of Padre Pio’s healing ministry was the case of Gemma Di Giorgi, a young girl who had been diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. Her parents brought her to Padre Pio, who prayed over her and blessed her with the sign of the cross. To the amazement of her doctors, Gemma’s condition began to improve, and she was eventually healed completely. In addition to physical healing, Padre Pio also believed in the importance of emotional and spiritual healing. He often spoke of the need for repentance and conversion, and encouraged his followers to turn to God with contrite hearts. In Luke 5:31-32, Jesus tells the Pharisees, ‘It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.’ Padre Pio understood that true healing involves not only the body, but also the soul. For those who are in need of healing, whether physical, emotional, or spiritual, Saint Padre Pio can serve as a powerful intercessor. He believed in the importance of prayer and the power of God’s grace to heal even the most difficult of cases. Through his intercession, we can ask God for the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles, knowing that we are never alone and that God’s healing love is always with us. So let us pray: ‘Saint Padre Pio, you who had a deep faith in God and a profound love for your fellow human beings, we turn to you in our time of need. We ask for your intercession on behalf of all those who are sick and suffering, that they may be healed in body, mind, and spirit. We ask that you pray for us, that we may have the strength and courage to face our illnesses and our struggles with faith and hope, knowing that God is with us always. We trust in God’s love and mercy, and in the power of prayer to bring healing and wholeness to all who seek it. Saint Padre Pio, pray for us, and lead us to the healing grace of God. Amen.’ Prayer To Saint Padre Pio | A Prayer For Peace Saint Padre Pio was a man of peace, who lived his life in the service of God and his fellow human beings. He believed that peace was not merely the absence of conflict, but a state of inner harmony that could only be achieved through a deep and abiding relationship with God. In John 14:27, Jesus tells his disciples, ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ Padre Pio understood the importance of this peace, and dedicated his life to helping others find it. One of the ways that Padre Pio fostered peace was through his ministry of reconciliation. He encouraged those who came to him to confess their sins and seek God’s forgiveness, knowing that this was the first step towards inner peace. In Matthew 5:9, Jesus says, ‘Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.’ Padre Pio believed that this was not just a call to be a mediator in conflicts between […]
