Bible Reading: Matthew 26:36-24
Reason #9: Prayer allows us to participate God’s plan.
Children can do many things to convince their parents to give they want. The child-like “pearls of wisdom” that children unknowingly speak, their earnestness, their eagerness to please are some of the positive things children do to influence their parents. Children also influence parents in bad ways such as temper tantrums, tears, manipulation, bullying, even extortion.
Matthew 26:39 says, “Going a little farther, he [Jesus] fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” Jesus was trying to influence His Father, too. However, there is a difference between the things human children do and what Jesus did.
When Jesus spoke to His Heavenly Father, Jesus said that He would like to avoid the pain and suffering involved in God’s plan. Jesus shared His feelings and thoughts with God.
Then Jesus said, “Yet not as I will, but as you will.” Jesus put God’s plan, God’s will, and God’s kingdom ahead of His own personal desires. Jesus was willing to accept whatever God chose to do, understanding that His Father knew best. Jesus understood that God’s “big picture” was the most important thing. When Jesus prayed, He was really asking that God would do whatever was best for God and God’s kingdom, not what would make Jesus happy for the moment. In essence, Jesus’ prayer expressed His willingness and desire to participate in God’s plan. Jesus wanted the answer to His prayer that God wanted to give Him.
When we pray, we should pray like like Jesus. We shouldn’t demand of God. We shouldn’t tell God what to do. We shouldn’t suggest answers to God.
Instead, we should g to God with a heart free of unconfessed sin. We should check our attitude and motive (James 4:3) to be sure that they lineup with God’s will. We should talk to God, telling Him what is on our heart and in our mind, wanting the answer to our prayer that God wants to give, the answer that best fulfills God’s plan, the answer that honors God and builds His kingdom. Why? Because we want to participate in God’s plan.
When we ask for things that honor God and further His plan, we can be guaranteed that we will get what we ask for. We are asking God to do things and gives us answers that He already wants to give (1 John 5:14).
I encourage you to pray as Jesus prayed, seeking to participate in God’s plan and seeking God’s glory and honor above all.
“This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.” 1 John 5:14
Prayer: Heavenly Father, I want to participate in Your plan. Help me to want the same things that You want. Please always answer my prayers Your way. In Jesus' name. Amen.