A key to prayer is to pray, “Thy will be done”

We can out think Jesus, having in our mind what the solutions are to all our problems, and be fooling ourselves. God knows the future, He knows the past, He knows the thoughts and the intents of man's heart. He knows what is best for us, and what is going to work out for our good. In fact, Jesus knows what is best for everyone and all of whom we are praying for. The key is for us to be in submission to His will.

"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do." - Hebrews 4:12-13 KJV

And why would we fight His will when we know that His will is what is best for us? 

"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." - 2 Peter 3:9 KJV

The only reason I can think of is that we are being carnally minded. 

"Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts." - James 4:3 KJV

Do we have our mind on the realization eternity is involved in our prayers? Is our priority on things we want? Relationships that the Lord doesn't want us involved in? Going places the Lord doesn't want us to go to?

"And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:" - 1 John 5:14 KJV

The bottom line is, Jesus knows what is best, and if we believe this and trust Him, we will not push for our own will when we pray. Instead, we will pray asking according to His will. "If this is your will Lord, let it be."

"Teach me to do thy will; for thou art my God: thy spirit is good; lead me into the land of uprightness [lead me forward on a firm footing]." - Psalm 143:10 KJV

"And he said unto them, When ye pray, say, Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, as in heaven, so in earth." - Luke 11:2 KJV