The crux of the Prayer Covenant is “Jesus, I choose to follow you as my Lord. Change me any way you want.” It is the hardest of all the lines to pray because we are intentionally relinquishing control, trusting in God fulfills His ultimate purpose in each one of us. Not my will, but yours be done.
God’s Promise Fulfilled
Jesus did not want to go to the cross. We are told He pleaded with the Father in the Garden of Gethsemane to take this cup from me. We read in Luke 22, And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground. Jesus prayed and pleaded with His Father from the very depths of His soul. He knew what lay ahead—the torture, the pain, the cross—yet what ultimately guided Him was obedience—doing the will of His Father, not my will, but yours be done.
In the garden where Jesus prayed, His Father sent an angel to comfort and strengthen Him (Luke 22:43). God may choose to send an angel, a friend or a teacher with a word of encouragement or guidance. He may bring to your memory a particular verse or passage. No matter what you might be going through, find strength knowing you are not alone. Isaiah 41:10 is a beautiful reminder, Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Be an Overcomer
Jesus has called you to be an overcomer. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. Because Jesus overcame the world, you too can overcome even the greatest challenges because He lives inside of you and has given you the gift of His Holy Spirit to guide you and sustain you. Remember nothing can separate you from Christ’s love—not hardship, not persecution, not poverty, nothing. It is why we can declare with confidence, like Paul, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
You Are Never Alone
Are you feeling alone in the midst of a difficult situation? Are you struggling with decisions that are testing your commitment and walk with Jesus? Are you facing overwhelming challenges? Model your life after the Great Teacher. During Jesus’ darkest hours spent on this earth, He chose to pray. Not simply mumbling words, He prayed through the night earnestly, passionately from His heart straight to the heart of the Father. May this inspire each one of us to approach the Father in the same way.
