GETHSEMANE

When Jesus entered in Gethsemane
With Peter and the sons of Zebedee,
He said with mortal dread:
“Remain and stay awake with me.”

Three times he prayed: “O Father, if it be
Your will, then take this cup away,” as he
Turned wet with blood-filled sweat,
“Though not my will, but your decree.”

As thrice he rose and went to find his three
Disciples fast asleep, he told them: “See
You stay awake to pray
That from the test you may be free.”

The spirit wills, the flesh is weak, and we,
O Christ, our Lord, have but a single plea
To make–to stay awake
With you and pray on bended knee!

Stephen Wentworth Arndt, Ph.D