But to sit at my right and at my left, this is not mine to give Mathew 20:17-28

We expect Jesus to hardly say no. Not when your mum is pleading on your behalf, or you are a part of his inner circle. Jesus refusal to grant the request if James and John reveals that not everything we desire and pray for are part of God’s will for us. This does not mean God does not answer every prayer. He does. Sometimes his answer is “NO” and it is not out of lack of concern for our well being. According to Garth Brooks in his song Unanswered Prayers “some of God’s greatest gifts are unanswered prayers.” Ponder this: When Jesus was faced with the fear of the horror of his passion and death, he prayed “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”

Let us pray.. Our Father who at in heaven hallowed be thy name, thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.