Devotional:What You Will: Mark 14:32-42

And He was saying, ‘Abba! Father! All things are possible for You; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what You will’” (Mk. 14:37, NASB).

I was scrolling Facebook. I came across a post written by a young lady that I attended high school with. In the post she admitted that she believed that God is good, and she trust God to meet all of her needs. Then, she asked for prayer. She stated that it seemed to her that God did not have her in His plans. Her reason—God did not answer her prayers giving her the things that she asked for.

My high school friend thinks much like many people. They believe that God shows His approval of them by honoring their prayer request. As I remember, it is said often in church that God answers all of our prayers. Sometimes, He says yes. Sometimes, He says no. Sometimes we just have to wait. Does God always answer our prayers?

In Gethsemane, Jesus prayed to His Father. He asked that the cup would be removed from Him. The cup was His death on the cross. Jesus prayed this prayer three times. In the scripture passage we do not read that the Father ever responded to Jesus’ prayer. Surely, the Father would answer His son’s prayer. First, Jesus already knew the will of His Father. Since there would be no change in plans, there was no need for the Father to reply. When we pray are we seeking to do the will of the Father? Do we expect God to do what we say? Jesus’ prayer teaches us that God does not do as we will. Rather, God does things according to His will. Are we praying for something that is not in the will of God? Do we expect God to change His mind—His plans?

We must seek to know God’s will. Read the Scriptures. Hear His voice through the Holy Spirit. We cannot change or alter God’s plan. Everything is done according to the will of the Father.

Prayer: Father, thank You for hearing our prayers. We pray as Jesus prayed: “Yet not what I will, but what You will.” Amen.