The Hour Is Near

Matthew 26:36-46

The Big Idea

When life feels difficult, we can bring our honest feelings to God, keep praying, and seek to trust him.

The Bible Story

Jesus Prays in Gethsemane

Matthew 26:36–46 tells how Jesus came to Gethsemane with his disciples to pray. He asked them to remain and watch with him, and he became sorrowful and troubled. Jesus prayed to his Father about the cup, asking that it pass from him if possible, while submitting to the Father’s will. Three times, he prayed; each time he returned and found the disciples sleeping because they were tired. Jesus urged them to watch and pray, explaining that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. At the end, Jesus told them to sleep and rest no longer. He said the hour was near, that the Son of Man was betrayed into the hands of sinners, and that his betrayer was approaching. Then he told the disciples to rise and go. This scene ends there, before the arrest or any violence described later.

Themes

Deep sorrow and distress Human weakness and sleep Prayer Submission to the Father’s will The approaching hour of betrayal Watchfulness

Bible moment

The Bible moment

Look closely

What children can notice

Jesus stands with the disciples in Gethsemane and tells them to rise and go because the hour is near and the betrayer is approaching. The composition should acknowledge a difficult moment without showing the betrayer, arrest, or violence.

Talk together

Talk about it

What did Jesus do when he felt sorrowful and troubled?
Why did Jesus tell the disciples to watch and pray?

For families, church, and class

Use this page

Read Matthew 26:36–46 with older children, pausing to explain sorrow, prayer, watchfulness, and trust. Invite children to notice the disciples’ tiredness without shaming them. Keep the discussion focused on this passage and stop before the arrest. Encourage a quiet prayer about bringing difficult feelings to God and trusting his will.

Source note