The road may be difficult but the map is clear. -C.S. Lewis

Boy do we need this back in our public schools...

"Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me:
nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." -Jesus (Luke 22:42)

It would seem from these passages that we are directed both by Our Lord's command and by His example to make all our petitionary prayers in this conditional form; well aware that God in His wisdom may not see fit to give us what we ask and submitting our wills in advance to a possible refusal which, if it meets us, we shall know to be wholly just, merciful, and salutary. And this, I suppose, is how must of us do try to pray and how most spiritual teachers tell us to pray. With this pattern of prayer - the A pattern - I myself would be wholly content. It is in accordance both with my heart and my head. It presents no theoretical difficulties. No doubt my rebellious will and my turbulent hopes and fears will find plenty of practical difficulty in following it. But as far as my intellect goes it is all easy. The road may be difficult but the map is clear.

-C.S. Lewis, Petitionary Prayer