Martin Luther King, Jr and PrayerSample

Not My Will

Matthew 6 verse 10 says “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

While Martin Luther King, Jr. often spoke of his need for solitary communion with God, King championed public conversation with Him as well, consistently leading prayer during sermons and action meetings. King’s prayers often mirrored the manner in which Jesus instructed us to pray in Matthew’s gospel.

Jesus tells us that we should approach God with reverence—“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name” (Matthew 6:9); and in submission to God’s desires—“your kingdom come, your will be done” (v. 10). King followed the pattern of submission, often posturing under God’s righteous decree; he once prayed during a sermon in Alabama: “Help me O God, to see that I’m just a symbol of the movement.”

After receiving a chilling death threat, King recalled feeling floored. Believing his strength to be depleted, he cried out to God, “I am at the end of my powers. I have nothing left.” King says he then heard an inner voice reply: “King, stand up for justice.”

While we may not lead a movement like King, we as believers in Jesus need to submit our desires to God’s will and trust our heavenly Father to provide. Although not perfect, King wielded powerful prudence against pride through prayer to God. May we do likewise.

What in your life is currently causing you discontentment? How does prayer, Bible reading, and God’s perfect provision ease the concerns of your heart?

Let’s pray.

Heavenly Father, Your plan for my life is what’s best for me. Please reveal where my desires clash with Yours, and realign them with Your will.