Not My Will, But Yours Be Done
This morning's men's group was heavy - a good heavy.
We had deep conversation in our men’s group. We read Daniel 9 and prayed. But men also opened up about real struggles with addiction, cancer, fear of dying alone. Raw, unfiltered life.
And in the middle of it all, I'm reminded of Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done. (Luke 22:42)
As I drove away, the song “Is He Worthy” by Chris Tomlin played on the radio. It felt like God was underscoring everything we had just heard, said, and prayed.
Here’s what the Spirit is stirring in me this morning...
1. Confession and Intercession (Daniel 9)
Daniel’s prayer is powerful and deeply honest. He owns the sins of his people as if they are his own. He models what it means to stand in the gap - confessing, pleading, trusting.
As I reflect on this, I realize how easily I gloss over my own sins, thinking I’ve got it “pretty much together.” But during my recent retreat to Cloisters on the Platte, one particular prayer stuck with me. It exposed the deeper layers of sin I often overlook. I’ve linked the prayer and the list of sins I’ve been praying through:
2. The Weight of Leadership
Spiritual leadership - whether in our homes, churches, or communities - is not about control, status, or being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about surrender and service. It’s about the washing of feet.
Jesus, the Son of God, knelt before His disciples and washed the dust from their feet. He didn’t demand respect. He embodied humility. That’s the model. Not commanding, but serving. Not being fed, but preparing the meal.
I’ve been wrestling with this metaphor lately: being fed vs. learning to cook spiritually.
It’s easy to expect others to nourish us - through church, devotionals, podcasts, men’s groups. But what happens when we’re called to feed others? To prepare the meal, not just consume it? Am I being the kind of spiritual cook my family and those in my circle of influence need?
3. Self vs. Surrender
There’s a battle inside me between my comfort and the call of the cross.
Jesus calls us to die to ourselves. Yet I worry about my job and retirement. About my creature comforts. About maintaining my lifestyle - my income, house, vehicles, etc. Am I willing to let those things go? I take so much for granted - relationships, well-being, provision. What if surrendering to God’s will means giving up even those?
4. Is He Worthy? Yes!
With all the weight we carried - fears, loss, confession - it pointed us back to truth:
He is worthy. He is enough. And because He is, we can face suffering, carry one another’s burdens, and pour ourselves out in love. We can walk this road with hope.
5. What is the call?
It brings me back to the simplicity and power of Jesus’ command:
Love God. Love others.
That’s the daily surrender we're called to.
Not my will, but Yours, Lord.
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