Writer Jerry Bridges recorded this memorable prayer of submission in his book, The Joy of Fearing God: “Lord, I am willing. To receive what you give; To lack what you withhold; To relinquish what you take; To suffer what you inflict; To be what you require; And to do what You send me to do.”

When we surrender our wills to God, it is an ironclad defense against temptation. Jesus practiced this defense of surrender throughout His life and especially in the Garden of Gethsemane. The temptation was straightforward—not to obey God. Jesus’ prayer “may this cup [of God’s wrath, see Jer. 25:15–26] be taken from me” (v. 39) comes from a normal human desire to avoid suffering. Better than anyone, Jesus knew what He was about to endure on the cross—the sins of the world and the wrath of the Father.

Jesus already knew His Father’s will in this matter, so He already knew the answer was “no.” He didn’t wait, therefore, but immediately proclaimed His surrendered will, “Yet not as I will, but as you will” (v. 39), a decision He reiterated at least twice more (vv. 42, 44). He prayed this with His face to the ground, a physical posture of submission.

Jesus stood firm in obedience despite emotions of overwhelming sorrow (vv. 37–38) and despite His disciples’ lack of support. He’d asked them, “Keep watch with me” (v. 38), but twice He found them sleeping instead. He was left to pray on His own in order to be fully prepared for the momentous, redemptive events about to take place. Luke’s account includes the additional details: An angel strengthened Him and “his sweat was like drops of blood” (Luke 22:43–44).

Surrendering our wills to God in prayer is not only a strategy against temptation. It’s a way of life for all followers of Christ!

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