The Last Supper had finished.  Final instructions had been given, but for Jesus His normal practice of late-night prayer was unchanged.  The Mount of Olives was a favourite place for Him to pray (Matthew 26:30; John 8:1).  It was away from the crowds on the eastern side of the city, and an easy walk to the Garden of Gethsemane.  In contrast to praying in a synagogue or the temple, this was intimate, personal and private - Jesus sharing His heart with His Father.  Sometimes the disciples would accompany Him, often He was alone; but always it was time when nothing else had any claim on His time.

The Mount of Olives would have a special significance for the disciples.  They knew it had been a special place for King David (2 Samuel 15:30).  Jesus had taught there about His coming kingdom (Matthew 24:3).  Now it was their place of temptation as they failed to watch and pray (Matthew 26:41), a place of their failure.  But in the future it would also be the place of Jesus’ ascension and, one day, it will be the place of His glorious return (Zechariah 14:3-9; Acts 1:11).
 
Perhaps the predictions at the Last Supper had disturbed the disciples.  Not wanting to be alone, they followed Him as He left the Passover meal; they knew where He would go.  But on this occasion Jesus knew they needed to pray too.  They needed to share their hearts with God, not only for their comfort and guidance, but so that they would not fall into temptation.  As with our human conversations, it is difficult to listen to somebody else when we are concentrating on another conversation.  In the same way, Satan's temptations have little deceptive appeal while we are talking with our heavenly Father. The English poet and hymn-writer, William Cowper, wrote, ‘Satan trembles when he sees, the weakest saint upon his knees’.  It is still true.
 
Temptations (the whispered lies and devious suggestions which our sinful nature finds so attractive) thrive in a spiritual vacuum.  Left to ourselves, these lies appear to be a very satisfactory way of gratifying our passions ... which is precisely why it is very dangerous to be by ourselves when Satan comes to tempt.  Of course, the company of other Christians does protect us from committing many sins: but most important of all is the Lord's company.  As we discuss everything with Him, we start to see ourselves and every influence upon us as He sees us.  Prayerlessness foolishly exposes us to Satan's manipulation, but many crises are averted by first placing our lives before the Lord in prayer.  However, the believer who routinely commits His way to the Lord will continue in that routine before, during and after every crisis, so that Satan does not have an opportunity to take advantage of our weakness.