Put God's will before your own
Even Jesus seemed reluctant to pray this one, at least on one occasion
I have a lot of things I want to do.
And I have this conversation with my daughter, Claire, all the time.
“It’s nice to want things.”
And it’s cliche and a little bit sarcastic, but the point is to teach her that we can’t always get the things we want.
Yet…
…I act exactly like a 5 year-old when I want things and feel like throwing a hissy fit when I can’t get it. What is the difference between Claire and I?
Not much.
And when I pray, I have a lot of things I want to ask for or inquire about. (Which isn’t bad)
But, Jesus models praying for what we want for us in one of the most powerful ways possible.
In Luke’s gospel account, in chapter 22, we have the words that Jesus prayed, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours be done.”
Jesus was referring to his own mutilation and crucifixion and death that he knew was coming just around the corner in this prayer.
Jesus didn’t want to suffer and die…and he went to God in prayer for that want.
…but Jesus acknowledged that what mattered more was what God wills.
So when we pray, even when it hurts, Jesus says we are to pray for God’s will, not ours. To pray for what God wants and not what we want.
This is an incredibly difficult lesson to learn, but, again, it is simple.
Jesus models that we can ask for what we want while also acknowledging that God’s will is more important, even over what we want. It is difficult to accept, but easy to practice.
My prayer for today
Our Father, help us do hard things. Jesus, thank you for modeling this lesson for us in the most intimate way possible. Spirit, open our hearts up to what God wants even when we want something completely different. Amen.
Remember
Take a few minutes for some introspection, have a conversation with yourself, and see if you are willing to submit to what God wants instead of what you want.
If you aren’t ready for that yet, that’s okay. Take some time to start praying about why and what to do about it. And reach out to others for some advice, too.