No

When I was a little girl and asked my parents if I could do something or go somewhere with one of my friends or when I asked for something I wanted, (like the latest trend in fashion or toys) their response was not always, "Yes."  When their answer was, "No," sometimes I wouldn't accept their first response. For some reason I thought that if I went into great detail as to why they should allow my request, that they would change their mind.  When that didn't work, I chose, "Please? Please? Please?"  After much pleading and drama my parents would look at me and calmly respond, "The answer is still no."  I didn't realize it at the time, but sometimes when they told me "No," it was actually for my own good.

As my children were growing up, there were times I had to deny their requests for their own good as well.  As for my grandchildren.... not so much!  LOL

I want to share an excerpt from The Christmas Ring, by Karen Kingsbury, Published by Thomas Nelson 2025.  On Page 57, Ben and Vanessa are having a conversation about prayer.

Ben searched her face, her eyes. "Great attitude." He sauntered beside her. "We both know that God doesn't always answer our prayers with a yes."

"He doesn't."

"But that was true for Jesus, too. His greatest prayer in the garden of Gethsemane was met with a 'no.'"

After reading those words, I couldn't keep reading the story.  This Author's words kept reverberating around and around in my head.  I went in search for my bible.  

"And when he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed, Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." Jesus praying in the garden, Luke 22:41,42.  You can find this recorded in Matthew 26:39-44 and Mark 14:32-39.

Think about this for a moment, it's profound.

Jesus was both God and Man.  Jesus was God in the flesh.  Since before the beginning of time, God provided a plan to redeem man back to Himself.  

Jesus stood before Pilate and spoke these very words, "Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." John 18:37

Jesus already knew why He came to earth; to pay a price we could not pay ourselves.

So why did Jesus pray a prayer when He already knew the answer would be 'No.' ?

Was it to be our example to pray about everything?

Was it to show us that God tells us "No" at times for our own good?

Was it to show us true humility and submission to God The Father?

Or was it simply out of agony for what was to come: bearing the sins of the whole world?

This has given me a lot to think about.

Jesus could have called ten thousand angels to carry Him back into heaven...

    And yet He chose to accept, "No," to His prayer, not for His own good...

        But for my own good, and for yours...

            But that's just me!