Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

--Parallel verses:
‭‭1 Timothy‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭6‬
I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

Jesus is modeling a fervent petition prayer here. First he asked his disciples to pray for him. Now he falls flat on his face in the midst of this unparalleled trial and asks God, because he is human, for it to be taken from him, if possible.

This is a great model for us in our trials. Because sometimes God does take us out of trials in answer to our prayers. But regardless of whether he grants our request, it brings us close in relationship with him and close relationship with him brings true life and peace.

Then he caveats his request with: “but as you will.” Or, as I remember it in the old King James version, “Thy will be done.” This shows his divine nature as God, part of the triune Godhead. His love is so great, his heart is so big, and his compassion for the lost so immense that he relinquishes control of his senses and every feeling in his body that is revolting from the future pain and torture. He releases control of these feelings and emotions to God for the eternal salvation of all humanity, whoever chooses to believe. He submits to God’s will.

This kind of prayer flies in the face of the “name it, claim it, and it will happen if you have enough faith” faith-healers out there. We cannot dictate healing to God. He is sovereign. We can petition, and when we petition we should caveat it with “Thy will be done.” This is because God has a better perspective and plan for us than we do. He may have a reason for our suffering.

He may cause beauty to come from the ashes in an eternal way that would have never been accomplished through healing. He might want to fortify the faith of others through the loss of a loved one or the ordeal of going through great trials in life. And when we demand of God, we lose sight of who we are and who He is. We are sheep, he is The Shepherd. We are his humble servants, he is The King of Kings and Lord of All. We live in a temporary world. He has always been and will always be the God of an eternal universe.

Praise you, Lord Jesus, that you did not take matters into your own hands and fight your way out of this trial. You humbly submitted to God’s plan. Help me to also submit to you and through your love and power in me — do the truly miraculous. I want to sacrifice for those around me like you did. Praise you, Lord.