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No, praying
for something more than once does not indicate we don’t trust in God, for
Jesus Christ – who never doubted God – shortly before He was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, prayed the
Father three times, saying the same words. Here is what Matthew says: “And he
went a little further, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father,
if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but
as thou wilt. And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and
saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour? Watch and pray,
that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the
flesh is weak. He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my
Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be
done. And he came and found them asleep again: for their eyes were heavy. And
he left them, and went away again, and prayed the third time, saying the same
words” (Matthew 26:39-44). Mark confirms it saying: “And he went forward a
little, and fell on the ground, and prayed that, if it were possible, the
hour might pass from him. And he said, Abba, Father, all things are possible
unto thee; take away this cup from me: nevertheless not what I will, but what
thou wilt. And he cometh, and findeth them sleeping, and saith unto Peter,
Simon, sleepest thou? couldest not thou watch one hour? Watch ye and pray,
lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit truly is ready, but the flesh is
weak. And again he went away, and prayed, and spake the same words. And when
he returned, he found them asleep again, (for their eyes were heavy,) neither
wist they what to answer him. And he cometh the third time, and saith unto them,
Sleep on now, and take your rest: it is enough, the hour is come; behold, the
Son of man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. Rise up, let us go; lo, he
that betrayeth me is at hand” (Mark 14:35-42).
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