“And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and knelt down and prayed, 42saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup [of divine wrath] from Me; yet not My will, but [always] Yours be done.” Luke 22:41-42 AMP

Piercing words from the life of our Savor. All of life’s event led Jesus to this moment! It was to be the culmination of His ministry giving His life for those who would come after Him! Each and every one of us must face our own garden experience! It is the moment that we surrender all and covenant to follow His will. 

Life’s road has many twists and turns, but each journey is taking us to a place of fulfilling His will for our lives. It may include times of coasting and enjoyment, or it may contain uphill struggles that require all of our strength and energy to complete. Wherever you are on your journey, God wants you to joyfully submit to the path you are walking! Me must understand and accept that God is looking for “willing” participants in His work. It is in the submission process that we learn to trust and love the one who gave His life for us! As we walk in that trust and love our joy is made full! The book of Psalms reminds us that,

“You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” Psalms 16:11 AMP

The key to all of this is to be in His presence. Taking pleasure in Him is much different in taking pleasure in the things He does for us! If our focus is only on the blessings, we lose the importance of the one who is blessing! That’s why Jesus told the disciples,

“And when you pray, do not use meaningless repetition as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8So do not be like them [praying as they do]; for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him.” Matthew 6:7 AMP

Pray is the most intimate type of fellowship that you can have with God. It is a time of reflection, petition and reception. The reflection time is when we take inventory of our own life and conditions. We cannot hide from God as He already knows the issues of our lives and wants us to know that He is in our corner! King David preyed one of the most difficult prayers that anyone could utter.

“Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart; Test me and know my anxious thoughts; 24And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, And lead me in the everlasting way.” Psalms 139:23-24 AMP

Once we have a firm grip on who we are in the light of who He is, our petitions seem to take on a different light! The Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Philippi,

“Do not be anxious or worried about anything, but in everything [every circumstance and situation] by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, continue to make your [specific] requests known to God. 7And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends all understanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus [is yours].” Philippians 4:6-7 AMP

Oh the peace and joy there is to release our earthy burdens to our heavenly Father! We release those things which so easily beset us and receive of His peace. It is then that our hearts are reassured, and we can clearly hear from the throne of heaven!

You see it isn’t in praying to accept His will in our lives that is important. It is praying to know His love so that we can willing and joyfully walk this road of life! Then and only then can we truly say “thy will be done” and mean it from a joyful heart! Remember the words of Paul to the church at Rome;

“Be devoted to one another with [authentic] brotherly affection [as members of one family], give preference to one another in honor; 11never lagging behind in diligence; aglow in the Spirit, enthusiastically serving the Lord; 12constantly rejoicing in hope [because of our confidence in Christ], steadfast and patient in distress, devoted to prayer [continually seeking wisdom, guidance, and strength],” Romas 12:10-12 AMP

Have a joyful day! Pastor Ken