“Anything I can be in prayer for you?” My friend and I had just finished our discipleship time, and after asking how I could pray for him, he asked me the same question. My initial response was, “I’m good,” but before I could say the words, I was convicted that I really wasn’t “good.” I shared the heart burden I had, and we had a great time of prayer together.

Being a child of the ‘60s, I often reminisce about some of the oldies, and a song by Simon and Garfunkel comes to mind. One of the choruses goes like this: “I am shielded in my armor, hiding in my room, safe within my womb, I touch no one and no one touches me. I am a rock, I am an island, and a rock feels no pain, and an island never cries.” (“I Am a Rock,” January 1966)

Men are told to “suck it up” or “man up”; we don’t cry or get emotional. That does not comport with what we see about Jesus in Scripture.

“Then Jesus went with them to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to his disciples, 'Sit here, while I go over there and pray.’ And taking with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, he began to be sorrowful and troubled. Then he said to them, 'My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch with me.‘ And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, 'My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.’” (Matthew 26:36-39, ESV)

Think about this — Jesus, the Son of God, Emmanuel (God With Us), specifically asked three of his disciples (Peter, James, and John) to “pray” with him. Seriously? He had just told Peter that he would deny him three times before the night was over. James and John (the Sons of Thunder) wanted top positions in the new administration, and they even enlisted mom’s help to get there! These are the same guys who wanted to go “Rambo” and nuke a Samaritan village when they weren’t cooperating with their kingdom vision. Realistically, they weren’t exactly the A-team of prayer warriors.

But Jesus, as the Son of Man, in an awesome display of humility and humanity, asked these disciples to pray with him as he faced the harsh reality of his coming crucifixion. He didn’t ask for a couple of philosophers, a priest, or a lawyer; he picked three everyday guys to come alongside him as he prepared for the cross.

What about you and me? Am I humble enough to ask a couple of guys to pray with me? Jesus shows us that we need other men in our lives to pray together and seek counsel. Proverbs 27:17 says, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” Who are the men in your life that help you sharpen your focus and your walk? It’s not likely we’ll find some spiritual giant to be our mentor, but two or three faithful brothers, whether they’re at work, church, or family, will help you to faithfully walk in paths of righteousness.

Have you taken the first step of asking some guys to pray with you? If not, what are you waiting for?

Sidebar: Our wives need the same thing from other women. Pass it on.

What say ye, Man of Valor?
Semper Fidelis!