A key to prayer is, “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? (2 Peter 3:9).

To desire that our own will be done instead of the Lord’s will, may be a result of being carnally minded.

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

"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 things of this world that we might desire are only temporary. Do we have eternity on our mind when we pray? Do we have our priorities in perspective? Have our priorities become relationships that the Lord doesn't want us involved in? Going places the Lord doesn't want us to go to? Doing things the Lord doesn’t want us to do?

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward [He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. NLT]" - Hebrews 11:24-26 KJV

When Jesus taught His disciples to pray, He said “After this manner therefore pray ye… Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.”

When we have entered into covenant relationship with God, we acknowledge that He is the King of the universe, not us, and it is about HIS kingdom, not us building OUR kingdom. (Matthew 6:33).

When Jesus travailed in prayer in the garden of Gethsemane, He struggled with the will of His flesh. Jesus is God in a human body. He was tempted as we are, but with the power of His Spirit, He was able to overcome temptation. (Hebrews 4:15, Acts 1:8). Jesus prayed, “…not as I will, but as thou wilt.” (Not the will of His flesh, but the will of His Spirit/God).  

As God, He knew what He was facing. Three times He prayed, and each time He prayed “thy will be done.” Jesus did not give into the desire of His flesh. He submitted Himself to His Spirit.

Jesus is our example, that no matter what we face, we have the power of the Spirit of God in us to do His will, and not choose to give in to the will of our human nature. His will is what is best for us, and for a purpose.

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28 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