From the Word:
Click here and read Luke 22:39-45
Key Verse:
Father, if you are willing, please take this cup of suffering away from me. Yet I want your will to be done, not mine. -Luke 22:39-45
I love good books and some of my favorites are Jan Karon’s novels “The Mitford Series.” Set in the small Southern town of Mitford, they tell the story of a lovable, Episcopalian priest, named Father Tim. The magic of the books lies in how ordinary life is in Mitford.
I have learned so much from Father Tim. Before he starts his day, he always prays, “Make me a blessing to someone today.” What an attitude! Whatever happens today, Lord, please let me touch someone’s life! He has a firm grasp on grace, and it shows up throughout the books. But I think the most important lesson that I have learned from Father Tim is his famous “prayer that never fails.”
Whenever he is counseling someone or trying to figure out a situation, he suggests that they pray the prayer that never fails, “Thy will be done.”
Why don’t we pray this prayer more often? Fear! We forget that our God is trustWORTHY. If we are honest, many of us are afraid of what that Will might include. It is almost as if we see God in Heaven saying, “Yippee! She finally surrendered. Now I can pour on the really hard stuff!”
We must remember God’s character and His heart toward us. He says, “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
He isn’t out to get us. He is out to love us, mold us, shape us, draw us to Himself, and ultimately work out what is best for us individually and for the Kingdom as a whole. Pray the prayer that never fails and trust for just the right answer.
Personal Application:
Does praying this prayer terrify you? List what you are afraid of, confess your unbelief, and ask God to help you trust Him more.
In his book, Absolute Surrender, Andrew Murray gives this exhortation:
“Oh, I want to encourage you, and I want you to cast away every fear. Come with that feeble desire. If there is the fear which says- ‘Oh, my desire is not strong enough. I am not willing for everything that may come, and I do not feel bold enough to say I can conquer everything’ – I implore you, learn to know and trust your God now. Say: ‘My God, I am willing that You should make me willing.’”
Give the Lord Your fear, and then ask Him to make you willing and able to surrender to His good will.
More of God’s Word:
1. Lord, I believe, help thou mine unbelief! Mark 9:24 (KJV)
2. All he does is just and good, and all his commandments are trustworthy. – Psalm 111:7 (NLT)
3. God is faithful (reliable, trustworthy, and therefore ever true to His promise, and He can be depended on); - 1 Corinthians 1:9a (Amplified Bible)
Dear Lord, Thy will be done. As scary as it is to pray, I know that I can trust You because you are worthy of that trust. Thank you that I can rest in knowing You are sovereign over the details of my life. Equip me to let go and wait for Your perfect will.
In Jesus’ Name I pray,
Amen
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6 comments:
'Tis true my friend! Thanks for the encouragement to trust in our great God.
Btw, I love that you brought a little bit of Mitford to us!
Jen
so looking forward to more. if you prayed father tim's prayer today, count it as answered because you were a blessing to me today.
love,
missy
What a talent God gave you for bringing his word into our hearts! Reading it just gave me a craving for more. Love, Mom
My friend just borrowed my whole Mitford Series to read and I can't wait to get it back from her so I can read it! My Mom gave it to me after she was finished reading it and now it's my turn!
O Jesus who has said "Ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you," through the intercession of Mary, Thy most Holy Mother,I knock I seek, I ask that my prayer will be granted (make request). O Jesus who said, "All you ask of the Father in My name, He will grant you," through the intercession of Mary, Thy most Holy Mother, I humbly and urgently ask thy Father in Thy name that my prayer be granted (make request).O Jesus, who has said, "Heaven and Earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass, " through the intercession of Mary, Thy most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted (make request). Publication must be printed to make novena answer. Say each day for nine days. Publication must be promised.
Thank you si much, loving dearest Jesus, for successfully answering my prayers in less than two days. Because of my full faith, trust and confidence in Your Loving Mercy, You granted all my prayers. I love you so much, dear Jesus.
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