But Your will be done
Father, if it is Your will, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done. Luke 22:42
We must observe a distinction in offering up our prayers. When asking for things that are necessary for our salvation, we must simply ask without affixing any condition to our prayer. And God will surely grant our prayer, for He has promised to do so. Our Lord and Saviour says: "If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him" (Luke 11:13) And "this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us." (1 John 5:14) It is otherwise when we ask for something that is not absolutely necessary for our salvation, and something that God has not expressly promised us. Faith of such high degree as Paul, for instance, or even Luther possessed, and particular gifts of the Holy Spirit, are precious spiritual gifts indeed, but not absolutely necessary for our salvation and the Holy Spirit "who apportions to each one individually as he wills." (1 Cor. 12:11) The same thing holds true with regard to immediate deliverance from spiritual temptation or bodily affliction. Is this necessary for our salvation? On the contrary, isn't such temptation and affliction wholesome for us? And do you think that the constant enjoyment of good health, good fortune, and an abundance of this world's goods is always wholesome for us and our loved ones, or even necessary for our salvation? When asking for such things, and surely you may do so, then learn from Jesus, the very best of teachers. When in the Garden of Gethsemane He had to drink that cup of bitterest soul-agony, He prayed most fervently, indeed, that this cup might be removed from Him, but He added: "Father, if You be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but Yours, be done." In this way also you too, must pray in all matters not necessary for your salvation. Leave it to the will of your heavenly Father, who dearly loves you, and who surely desires your salvation, whether and when and how many of these things He wishes to give you.
PRAYER: - My dear Heavenly Father, faithful God, I know for a certainty that You dearly love me and desire my salvation, and profusely and abundantly give to me all things necessary for my salvation. For this I thank You with all my heart. Give to me, dear Father Your Holy Spirit, that I may be willing to leave everything else to Your loving-kindness and Your divine wisdom, firmly believing that with tender love and faithfulness You will keep me and lovingly take care of me, until You will gather me to the community of Your elect in heaven, who praise and glorify You in all eternity. Amen.