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There are some who approach prayer with a list of imperative sentences. “God, I want you to do this. And when you get that done, here’s another thing. And sorry for the reminder, but you forgot to get done the thing I asked for two days ago. I needed it … yesterday. In Jesus’ name. Amen.” Some even teach that praying with real faith is telling God what you want, when you want it, and that you will not take no for an answer. So…is praying, “Your will be done,” a cop-out? Let’s learn from Jesus. 

Matthew 26:39
And going a little farther he fell on his face and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will.”

This was the most intense prayer of Jesus’ life. Luke tells us that his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground, a sign of unimaginable stress. Jesus emotionally expressed his desire but concluded, “Not as I will, but as you will.”

Prayer is a personal conversation with God. It is not a laundry list of imperatives. In the conversation with my heavenly Father, I can and should express my personal desires just like Jesus did. And, just like Jesus, I hand over my desires to the perfect will of God. By the way, that’s not a cop-out … it’s called obedience.

Father, thank you for the privilege of bringing my desires before you. Thank you for allowing me to share my heart openly and honestly. But Father, I always want your will done in my life—your good, pleasing, and perfect will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.