Not my will
Today's focusIn the garden Jesus prays in anguish, 'Not my will, but thine, be done,' and urges his sleeping disciples to pray so they do not fall into temptation.
Read
39And he came out, and went, as he was wont, to the mount of Olives; and his disciples also followed him. 40And when he was at the place, he said unto them, Pray that ye enter not into temptation. 41And he was withdrawn from them about a stone’s cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, 42Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done. 43And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him. 44And being in an agony he prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground. 45And when he rose up from prayer, and was come to his disciples, he found them sleeping for sorrow, 46And said unto them, Why sleep ye? rise and pray, lest ye enter into temptation.
Reflection
In the quiet of the mount of Olives, Jesus enters a moment of deep "agony." Although he is the Son, he does not hide his distress from the Father. He honestly asks if it is possible to "remove this cup" from him. You may have seasons where your own heart is heavy with a burden you wish to lay down. In those moments, Jesus is not distant; he knows the weight of human suffering. His sweat falling like "great drops of blood" shows the intensity of the struggle he endured on your behalf.
Despite his anguish, Jesus surrender’s his desires to the Father’s purpose, saying, "nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Even as he prays, an angel appears "strengthening him." Jesus also looks with care toward his disciples, who are "sleeping for sorrow." He gently urges them to "rise and pray" so they do not "enter into temptation." When you feel overwhelmed or exhausted by grief, Jesus invites you to bring your honest will to God, trusting that the Father’s will is the place of ultimate peace and strength.
AI-written reflection on the passage above. Let Scripture itself be the main thing.
Reflect
What situation do you need to bring to God with the honest prayer, 'Not my will, but yours be done'?
Pray
Father, I bring you the things I want and the things I fear. Like Jesus in the garden, I pray, 'Not my will, but yours be done.' Strengthen me to pray and not to give up.