“You do not know what you are asking”

Thus says the Lord to the mother of Apostles in today’s Gospel (Matthew 20:20-28).

Thus the Lord may frequently say in response to our own prayers.

The things for which we pray almost always may seem good, feel good, and sound good, but that does not always mean that they truly are good for us.

What is more, even if the things for which we pray ARE truly good, they may be nonetheless not as good ultimately as other plans that the Lord in His mercy and wisdom has for us.

It is good to pray for things, for there is good in all godly prayer and it is healthy to be honest with God about our desires and perceptions.

But it is a matter of life and death – spiritually and otherwise – for the “bottom line” of our prayer to be the same as the “bottom line” of Christ’s own prayer (Matthew 26:39b):

"My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me;
yet, not as I will, but as you will."

May we be honest in our prayer, as we ask for this or that, but may our prayer always begin and end with “yet, not as I will, but as You will."