Not My Will, But Your Will Be Done
“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)
Prayer is not a magic formula. Some think that prayer changes things.
They say, “I prayed and I received a promotion.” Or “I prayed and the pain went away.”
No. Prayer does not change things.
God changes things.
You can pray a thousand times, but if it is not the will of God, nothing will happen.
Prayer is an expression of our relationship with God.
And this relationship is based on trust in Him.
There are times when He answers our prayers immediately.
Sometimes He does not answer our prayers.
Sometimes He provides, while at other times, He withholds.
Sometimes He heals, while at other times, He does not.
He is testing us. If there is no healing, will you still love Me?
God’s ways are higher than our ways.
We live by faith, we don’t live by explanations.
We come to God like children, asking for toys and sweets.
But God knows what is best for us.
If God acts only when we pray, we will be living in spiritual poverty.
But God is our all-wise Heavenly Father. He knows what is best for us and He has only good for us.
We do not really know what to pray for. But God knows our needs before we ask of Him.
Trust in Him. Trust in His ways and His time.
Our prayer should end with “Not my will, Lord, but Your will.” (Luke 22:42).
Trust in the Lord with all your heart; and lean not unto your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” (Prov 3:5,6).
(MT)