One of the podcasters (Jared Halverson) compared Jesus' prayer in 3 Nephi 19, to the account of the Garden of Gethsemane in Matthew 26. In both cases Jesus went a little way off and prayed (Matthew 26:39, 3 Nephi 19:19). In both cases three times he comes back to check on his followers, then returned to praying. Brother Halverson compares the sleeping apostles in Matthew, to the receptive and attentive disciples of 3 Nephi 19.
As I read 3 Nephi 19 it reminded me more the the "great intercessory prayer" recorded in John 17. In John 17 the Gospel writer records a prayer that Jesus gives right before going to the Garden. It is often called the "Great Intercessory Prayer." They have a lot of phrases and ideas in common. Here is a list of some.
Jesus prays for those God has given him (3 Nephi 19:20, John 17:6)
Jesus prays for the ones who will believe on their word (3 Nephi 19:23, John 17:20)
Jesus prays for oneness among his disciples (3 Nephi, 19:23, John 17:22)
Jesus prays they may be purified/perfect (3 Nephi 19:29, John 17:23)
The heart-warming thing about comparing these two prayers is that when Jesus prayed in Jerusalem, his disciples didn't really understand. He gave and showed the Jerusalem saints all that he could, but they were not ready to receive aa fullness. When he came to the Americas, the people who were at the temple at Bountiful were spiritually ready to receive him. They didn't fall asleep, as the apostles did in Jerusalem. They instead prayed and were purified and shone like Jesus. As a result, instead of being filled with sorrow, Jesus "did smile upon them" (v. 30). It was a great experience for both the people at the temple, and for Jesus himself.
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