Not My Will, But Yours
The other day, I was walking on the treadmill, listening to a podcast, when the speaker began talking about trusting God when our prayers seem to go unanswered. He said something that really made me stop and think.
Too often, we treat God like the oxygen mask on an airplane. We cry out, “God, help me! Fix this! Rescue me!” But we rarely pray, “God, transform me. Change my heart. Align my will with Yours.”
Ouch.
How many of my prayers have been focused on changing my circumstances rather than allowing God to change me?
The speaker reminded us that every prayer is heard—even the ones that aren’t answered the way we hope. Sometimes God’s answer is “yes.” Sometimes it’s “wait.” And sometimes, in His perfect wisdom that we can’t possibly understand, it’s “no.”
Then he shared something I’d never thought about before, and it honestly rocked me.
We were saved because of what looked like an unanswered prayer.
In the Garden of Gethsemane, knowing the suffering that lay ahead, Jesus prayed, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me. Nevertheless, not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42)
The Father didn’t remove the cup. Because He didn’t, Jesus went to the cross. Because He went to the cross, our sins could be forgiven. Because that prayer wasn’t answered the way Jesus, in His humanity, desired, we have the hope of eternal life. That realization has stayed with me.
What if some of the prayers I’m most disappointed about today are part of a much bigger story that I simply can’t see yet?
God sees the beginning and the end. He knows what I cannot know. His love for us isn’t measured by whether He gives us everything we ask for. Sometimes His greatest acts of love come wrapped in answers we don’t understand.
So today, I’m trying to pray a little differently. Not just, “Lord, help me.” But also, “Lord, transform me. Help me trust You even when I don’t understand. Your will be done.”
Because if God’s greatest gift to humanity came through an answer that looked like “no,” perhaps I can trust that His plans for my life are better than my own—even when I can’t see them yet.
About Terri Edwards
Hi guys! I’m the content creator behind EatPlant-Based and a licensed Food for Life instructor with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. I’m passionate about sharing healthy recipes and tips to help others care well for their health and the bodies God has given us. I’m so glad you’re here! Read More…
July 1, 2026 Morning Brew
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