March 19, 2026
The Thing That Might Be Missing From Your Prayers
ELIZABETH LAING THOMPSON
Lee en español
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’” Matthew 26:39 (NIV)
I’d spent weeks pounding the sidewalks in my neighborhood, praying and walking, pleading for resolution to an important decision in my daughter’s life. I was pouring out my soul, casting my anxieties on the Lord (1 Peter 5:7).
But whenever I said amen, I still felt unsettled. I definitely wasn’t experiencing “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding,” as promised in Philippians 4:7 (NIV).
Maybe peace will come if I pray more convincingly, more passionately, I thought. And so I did. I walked and prayed till I nearly wore a groove in the pavement … but nothing changed.
During one walk, I thought about Jesus praying in the garden of Gethsemane hours before His arrest. Knowing what was coming — a trial, torture, and death — Jesus was filled with sorrow. Matthew 26:39 describes His prayer this way:
“Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, ‘My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.’”
While my suffering was nothing compared to Jesus’ anguish, I considered what I could learn from His prayer. Like me, Jesus longed for relief, and He began by presenting His request to His Father: “If it is possible, may this cup be taken from me.”
But Jesus’ prayer didn’t stop there. He went on: “Not as I will, but as you will.”
I paused midstep, dismayed and convicted. I’d been praying myself hoarse, asking God to do what I thought was best. I’d been praying with clenched fists, holding tight to my own wisdom and will. In all my prayers, I had yet to say, “Not as I will, but as you will.”
Humbled, I started praying differently. I asked God to help me surrender and fully trust Him. I prayed, God, here is what makes sense to me, the outcome I am hoping for, but I trust Your wisdom. Please do whatever You know is best. I place my trust — and my daughter — in Your loving hands.
Several weeks later, God resolved the situation, and I stood in awe of His plan. It wasn’t what I’d expected, but it was exactly what my girl needed. God knew best — as He always does.
If you’ve been praying without finding peace, could it be that a surrendered spirit is missing from your prayers? Like Jesus, let’s present our requests to God but ultimately invite Him to do His will.
“Your will be done” reminds us that God sees the big picture and always acts in love.
“Your will be done” affirms our trust in Him — which is the true path to peace.
Father, I trust Your heart and Your plans. I give You my fears, concerns, and unknowns. Not my will but Yours be done. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.
OUR FAVORITE THINGS:
There’s a version of you who shows up for everyone else — the strong one, the capable one, the “I’m fine” one. But there’s also the version of you who feels behind, who questions everything at 2 a.m., who wonders if she’s the only one still struggling to believe she’s called. Our new reflection journal resource, Unpolished, is designed for that version of you. It helps you slow down long enough to pay attention to your real emotions; your real longings; and the small, sacred ways God has been trying to get your attention. Not when you’re polished, confident, or curated — right here, in the unfiltered parts you try to keep quiet. You don’t owe the world a perfected story. God always begins with the version of you that actually exists. Get your copy of the Unpolished journal, and take the first step toward all God has for you.
ENGAGE
Elizabeth sends Bible studies and devotions to her newsletter friends, and she’d love to connect on Instagram, where you can find out more about her books, including All the Feels for Teens: The Good, the Not-So-Good, and the Utterly Confusing.
FOR DEEPER STUDY
1 Peter 5:6-7, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (NIV).
Philippians 4:6-7, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (NIV).
In what areas do you find it most difficult to surrender to God’s will? (Finances? Family? Career?) What helps you to trust God’s will for your life? Share your thoughts in the comments.
© 2026 by Elizabeth Laing Thompson. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31 Ministries
P.O. Box 3189
Matthews, NC 28106
www.Proverbs31.org
