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Intention

To be inspired by the example of Christ to pray bold prayers so that we are bold witnesses.

Scripture

“Now my soul is troubled. What should I say — Father, save me from this hour? But that is why I came to this hour. Father, glorify your name.”

– John 12:27–28

Reflection

In the week leading up to Christ’s crucifixion, some Gentiles approached Jesus’ disciple Philip, asking, “Sir, we want to see Jesus” (John 12:21).

For Jesus, this was the moment. A sign that his time had come. All of his ministry had been building up to this moment. Every sermon, every parable, every miracle, every conversation. And even though his whole life was of unmatched significance, what was about to come was the point of it all.

And how did he respond?

His ensuing prayer gives us insight into not only the humanity of Christ, but also the appropriate way to pray when the moment calls for it.

What is telling is his opening line: “My soul is troubled.”

Anyone relate?

With all the mounting tensions and complexities that the Church in Australia is confronted with, I take courage knowing that even Christ himself felt troubled.

And then he poses a rhetorical question: “What should I say?”

In other words, what is the appropriate prayer to pray?

His first suggestion is one I’m tempted to pray more often than not: “God, save me!”

It is worth pausing for a second to consider the cultural moment we all find ourselves in. Surely the most tempting prayer to offer to God is one of divine rescue. For God to deliver us from our enemies. To thwart their plans. To rescue us from the powers of darkness. To save us from all the schemes against his people.

Make no mistake about it — that is a prayer worth praying. And a prayer God often answers.

But that is not where Jesus lands. It’s not the prayer he prayed when his soul was troubled by the forthcoming event.

Instead, he reminds himself of his mission. His purpose. What he was graced to do: “No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.”

This, too, is a function of prayer: reminder.

Often in prayer, I’m believing for some kind of revelation from God.

What he frequently gives are reminders.

Reminders of his promises. Reminders of his word. Reminders of who he is.

Finally, we get the prayer that Jesus actually prayed: “Father, glorify your name!” (John 12:28).

In the most soul-crushing moment of his life, when he felt all the weight of the world bearing down on him, his instinct was to pray for rescue.

Yet, in his glorious courage and faithfulness, Jesus didn’t ask that his Father would make him safe. He prayed that whatever God had intended for his own good pleasure would be the very thing that would happen.

He didn’t settle for a prayer of deliverance, but rather a prayer that put mission before his eyes and burnt it into his heart.

May this be a prayer that we add to our arsenal.

May we not settle for prayers of safe-keeping, even though God delights in watching over his children.

May we be inspired by the example of Christ to pray bold prayers when the moment calls for it.

And I think the times we are living in certainly do.

Indeed, this is the example we see from the early Church when threatened: “Lord… grant that your servants may speak your word with all boldness” (Acts 4:29).

Video

Prayer

Heavenly Father, Acts 4:29 is our prayer, too. Grant us boldness to be your witnesses. And above all, may all come to know your Son, Jesus. Amen.

Author Bio

Jonathan became the Lead Pastor of Suncoast Church in 2014, where he has been committed to advancing the vision and mission of the community. Additionally, he has been a member of the International Network of Churches (INC) National Executive since 2020, serving in a strategic advisory role to support the broader vision and mission of the movement.

Prayer Points for October 2026

We are praying for the Church to:

1. Awaken to her first love for Jesus (Ephesians 5:14; Revelation 2:4).
2. Awaken to evangelism so that millions will trust in Christ (John 3:16; Proverbs 11:30).
3. Awaken to her prophetic voice to the nation (Isaiah 52:1; Matthew 14:4).

We invite you to support this campaign to multiply prayer in Australia for revival and see millions come to faith in Christ. Every donation to the Canberra Declaration helps us promote prayer and make a stand for family, faith, freedom, life, and the good news of God’s love through Jesus Christ.

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