This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him. 1John 5:14,15
John was within hearing distance of Jesus praying in the Garden of Gethsemane the night He was arrested and heard Him say, "Take this cup from me. If there is any other way. Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done." We know the disciples were instructed to pray but fell asleep but they must have heard this part in order for it to be recorded before they dozed off.
The prayer of Jesus wasn't selfish at first because that would have been a sin. So what was it? It was an honest cry for help in His human frailty. I remember going through my malpractice case in '89 and going through depositions, meetings with attorneys, and getting the court date, arranging coverage, rescheduling patients, all the while praying, "God take this from me. Have them settle out of court, please." I was scared. I was praying for a way out. God had a reason for me going through it and eventually I had to say, "OK, Your will be done. Help me to get through it." That prayer was in accordance with His will, and He heard it and it was answered. Years later I found out that the prosecuting attorney found Christ through my wife's and my example of faith through it all. Also, I never had to practice scared, defensive, costly medical care to protect myself from going to court because I'd been there and no longer was afraid. When people tried to extort me for money or they would take me to court, I'd say, "Fine, take me to court", and it would go away. And what I've realized is if you settle a case, it goes on your record as claiming guilt and it stays with you as you apply for other jobs. God knew all that and was protecting me from that despite my pleas for the easy way out.
The way of salvation is a surrender of our will to His will and prayer is a reflection of that. We have in our finite minds a way that seems prudent and we pray for that. God who is outside time and knows the future may have a different, better plan and our growth involves continuing to surrender to His plan. So many people's rocky soil faith is revealed when their prayers aren't answered the way they wanted. They hadn't surrendered to God's control of their lives. His way was better and their faith was shipwrecked on the lie of Satan that He wasn't a good good Father.
When you pray, can you honestly say, "Nevertheless, not my will but Yours be done."? As the years go on are you developing a trust that God is working all things out for your good and His glory? Do you still find yourself getting disillusioned when you don't get what you asked for, or are you anxiously awaiting to see what God is going to do through it all? This is spiritual growth. This is learning to lean on God and trust Him. This is sanctification. Hang on because it could get exciting.
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