Matthew 26:47-54 "And while HE yet spake, lo, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and staves, from the chief priests and elders of the people. Now he that betrayed HIM gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is HE: hold HIM fast. And forthwith he came to JESUS, and said, Hail, master; and kissed HIM. And JESUS said unto him, Friend, wherefore art thou come ? Then came they, and laid hands on JESUS, and took HIM.
And, behold, one of them which were with JESUS stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck a servant of the high priest's, and smote off his ear.
Then said JESUS unto him, Put up again thy sword into his place: for all they that take the sword shall perish with the sword. Thinkest thou that I cannot now pray to MY FATHER, and HE shall presently give ME more than twelve legions of angels ? But how then shall the Scriptures be fulfilled, that thus it must be ? 
The psalmist said, "I understand THY favor with my whole heart: be merciful unto me according to THY WORD" (Psalm 119:58 pictured at top of post). GOD's WORD is the measure for the confidence we can have with respect to answered prayer; when we are in HIS will, claiming HIS promises, we can be sure that the answer is on the way (1st.John 5:14-15 pictured above). The SPIRIT quickens the believer's heart by the WORD and causes him to pray accordingly. Our communion with GOD should be immersed in the truths of Scripture. This will eliminate many of our self-serving prayers as well as our misconceptions concerning the purpose of praise and intercession; JESUS so tempered HIS OWN prayer in our text. HE could have prayed to HIS FATHER, and "more than twelve legions of angels" would have delivered HIM from the Romans soldiers (v.53). Why did HE not so pray to this end ? It is because the Scriptures indicated that would not have been according to the FATHER's will. "THY will be done" (v.42) was CHRIST's example of effective prayer.
The life of Elijah provides a good example of GOD's will being accomplished in response to fervent prayer (James 5:16-18; 1st.Kings 17:1; 18:1, 41-46). GOD revealed to Elijah that it was HIS will for a drought to come, and then later, the LORD indicated that the rain would fall once more. However, in both instances the will of GOD was not realized until Elijah fervently prayed that such would, indeed, come to pass. Think of the implications ! When we study the WORD and find therein what GOD's will is concerning our needs and circumstances, we can then pray with confidence. Prayer is instrumental in receiving "grace to help" in our times of need (Hebrews 4:14-16). DWC
Your servant in CHRIST,
Julie
Copyright, FEATURE: A Daily Bible Study Guide.
Used with permission. www.featoday.org
https://fivestarchristianministries.com/salvation
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