Prayer

And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, saying, “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:41-42 ESV)

I’ve been on a deep journey of prayer in this season of life. Raising teenagers, facing my dad’s declining health, and joining the SBC staff after 19 years of being a stay-at-home parent—I simply couldn’t navigate these changes without leaning into prayer. It became very clear that I needed to pray every day, “not my will, but Thy will,” sometimes multiple times a day. I am full of plans, solutions, and ways to escape difficult places, and these creep into my prayer requests. The discipline is found in consciously choosing a “posture of humility,” and that happens with an intentional death of my own will (agenda).

Jesus prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane for death to pass if possible, but ultimately asked for the Father’s will to be done. He was God in flesh, and He struggled when faced with the pain of bearing the weight of our sin in a once for all sacrifice, dying on the cross. Jesus was obedient through suffering unto death, and I will also learn obedience through my suffering. Praying for God’s will, walking in obedience, and experiencing God’s provision are the foundation on which my faith is firmly planted.

As you pray today, surrender your will and earnestly seek God’s will. I pray true contentment will take residence in your soul as obedience strengthens your walk with God.