Saying the Lord’s Prayer can sometimes be rather rote. We’ve memorized it. We’ve taught it to our children. We even have beautiful musical compositions based on it. But when was the last time you took the time to really think about the words, and how they fit into our lives?
Bible scholars, much smarter than I, have dissected the Lord’s Prayer line by line. I’m in no way competent to out-teach any of them. But I feel pretty confident sharing with you how one line, “Thy will be done”, has influenced my daily struggles and has impacted the way in which I try to minister to my own family.
Giving Our Desires Over to God
First, I’ll admit it, sometimes I hesitate to pray for God’s will. I get scared that His will might make my life messy or harder. I’d rather bend God’s ear and try to change His mind. I don’t know if that’s even possible, because God is already in tomorrow and has no time constraints. The very metaphysical, omnipotent stuff that makes my poor brain hurt! But, nonetheless, I pray for… my needs; my desires. I pray that a friend who’s fighting cancer is healed. I pray that angels watch over my children. I pray for my husband’s continued health. I pray for strength, and I pray for my friends and their needs.
Up until recently I never added to my prayer– almost avoided the words, “But Your will be done”. Because, well, what if His will is different than mine?
The thing is, God is my King. While I wanted to do His will on earth, I just recently realized the importance of desiring that He completely rule over me and mine.
1 Samuel 3:18. “So Samuel told him everything, hiding nothing from him. Then Eli said, “He is the Lord; let him do what is good in his eyes.”
I have started praying more like this, “Lord make Your will known to me, so that I might follow it and be obedient to You.” Trying to not displease God in whatever it is I do, say or even think. I’m not perfect, and I’m pretty sure God doesn’t expect perfection, but I’m happy with the progress. And, what’s more, there is a sense of peace after I truly pray like Jesus did, “Thy will, not mine be done.”
Yes, I still pray for the intentions of my heart. But I trust that giving those things over to God, whatever happens will be His will. I might not understand the why’s and when’s, but that’s ok. He is my King. The Will of God is infinitely good, wise and holy. When we pray, “on earth like it is in Heaven”… think about how the angels must pray! With such love, delight and zeal! I want to pray like they pray! Don’t you?
Unlike Heaven, the enemy is very present here on earth. Sin, corruption and self fulfillment are things we fight against. Thoughts that if God is so good, then why would He will such pain for His children. I can assure you, God does not want us in pain. This world is nothing like the place He created for us. Our truest joy will be found in Heaven. A perfect place where God’s Will just IS… always and forever.
Lisa Strnad is a weekly contributing writer/blogger to What’s in the Bible? and Jelly Telly. She has been a homeschooling mom of two, who works independently in Christian media in the areas of writing, promotions and marketing. She lives with her husband and children in Nashville,TN. Follow her personal blog posts on Talking Like A Girl.
