Middle school · Day 6 of 7
Not My Will
Read: Luke 22:39-46 (KJV)
39And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
The night before Jesus died, He went to the Mount of Olives to pray. He knew the cross was coming, and He was in such agony that His sweat was like drops of blood. He prayed, "Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Jesus was completely honest about how hard this was, but He trusted His Father's plan. God sent an angel to strengthen Him. Sometimes we pray for what we want, and that is okay. But the best prayer also says, "God, I trust You, even if Your answer is different." Whether it is a decision about friends, a family situation, or your future, you can tell God what you want and still trust His plan.
Key verse
“Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done.”
Luke 22:42 (KJV)
Think about it
- What does it show you that Jesus prayed so honestly about something so hard?
- Why is "not my will, but thine" a hard prayer to pray?
- What is something in your life where you need to trust God's plan more than your own?
Pray
Father, I have things I really want, and I bring them to You. But help me trust You even more than my own plans. Not my will, but Yours, be done. Give me strength like You gave Jesus. Amen.