“ ‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one. ’”
“Your will be done.” How difficult is it to pray these 4 words before an Almighty God?
It depends.
Right?
There are many times that I am able to easily, if not flippantly, pray God’s will be done. And for some long seasons of my faith journey I’ve chosen to recite the Lord’s prayer as my own. I’m pretty sure at times I’ve said, out loud, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” without true consideration of the meaning of the words I’m declaring.
If I am living in a quiet season and praying about something I’m not emotionally torn over, it’s fairly easy for me to state emphatically, “Lord Jesus, Your will be done.” We, Christians, might even be tempted to over-emphasize our faith by declaring that we trust Him for His decision, especially when praying for someone else.
Oh but, if I’m invested in a situation, and it involves our immediate family, a daunting health diagnosis, financial upheaval threatening our future or relationship disintegration? Well, then I’m likely to be emotionally up in arms. And I can get pretty bossy, even before a good, good Father, who is the Lord God Almighty. I am known in heaven as one who might run into the Throne Room of Grace thrusting forth a mighty to-do list for God as relates to the wellbeing of my people.
Reading the psalms of David with his emotional rants to the Lord helps me to realize that God is not offended by my authentic prayers of wants and desires. But it also helps me to recognize that King David most often relented with praise to God and submission after pouring out his heart before God.
Recently though I read this story below from Luke chapter7, and I am challenged by this man’s faith and his calm demeanor in a crisis situation. See what you think as you read his testimony.
“Jesus started off with them, but on his way there, friends of the captain stopped him and delivered this message: “Master, don’t bother to come to me in person, for I am not good enough for you to enter my home. I’m not worthy enough to even come out to meet one like you. But if you would just speak the word of healing from right where you are, I know that my servant will be healed. I am an ordinary man. Yet I understand the power of authority, and I see that authority operating through you. I have soldiers under me who obey everything I command. I also have authorities over me whom I likewise obey. So Master, just speak the word and healing will flow.””
Luke 7:6-8 TPT
And so, I need reminders to surrender to His will. I need them daily. That’s one reason why I commit time to reading or listening to God’s word each day.
Ultimately, Jesus is our perfect example. At the edge of losing His life, Jesus asked for reprieve. He asked His Father three times to take this heavy burden from Him. But three times Jesus surrendered to God’s will. He submitted Himself to God’s good plan to lay His life down so that death would be defeated. So that freedom from sin would be gained for all who will place their faith in Jesus Christ.
Eyes on Jesus and Shine,
Lisa
Some things to ponder with Jesus:
1. What does the Lord’s prayer mean to you?
2. When is it difficult for you to pray, “But Your will be done.”?
3. How have the scriptures helped you to pray with authenticity?
4. Are you encouraged today to surrender your will for your current situation to His will? Can you see God’s goodness and faithfulness in surrendering your will?
Pray with me.
Lord Jesus,
Help each of us to come boldly before Your Throne of Grace with authenticity, and telling you truthfully everything that is on our hearts. Let us trust You with every thought and emotion, but let us also trust You with our surrender. Let us give over our will to Your will for every person and situation because You are good in Your intentions, and all-knowing. Teach us to trust You because You are already in our future and You are writing a good story.
Thank You for Your kindness and gentleness with each one of us because You know us and love us just the way we are.
In Your name, and for Your glory, we ask that Your will be done,
Amen.
Thank you for your prayers. The Lord God Almighty is good and faithful and He never fails. His purposes are fulfilled despite our weaknesses because He provides the difference.🌸🪴We are hanging on to His faithfulness knowing He never let go of us. It’s a wild ride for sure. Some days we laugh hysterically and some days we sob. It means we’re alive and human and learning!
My faithful prayer… I give thanks to You God because You alone are good and Your steadfast love endures forever!
That’s a good word, Joanne. Thank you for encouraging me.🌸🪴
It isn’t easy to submit to God’s will in every season of life. I try to remind myself that His will is always for our good and ultimately for His glory.
Hi Donna,
Thank you for your blessing and prayer. And thank you for taking time to read my post.
We’re not currently facing these challenges all at once, but these are examples of times when I’ve been torn by what I want and trusting God to have the better answer.
I love praying Scriptures because they always point me to Jesus.
Thank you also for pointing me to keep my eyes on Jesus… and shine!
Lisa
Lisa, praying for God’s will when facing health or financial issues is so very hard. We can’t help but have our own desired outcomes! Yet He encourages us to bring even those to Him. May the God of all comfort cover you in His unfailing love during this challenging season, and may you know Him more deeply through it.
Thank you so much for your prayers. All of these things aren’t currently going on, but these are examples of situations when I have found it difficult to pray Your will be done.
Prayer from brothers and sisters on the faith journey make life extra joyful and satisfying. Thank you for reading and sharing my post.
Eyes on Jesus and Shine!
Lisa
Lisa, may the Lord give you wisdom in how to approach the “daunting health diagnosis” and potential “financial upheaval” before you. I pray for wisdom and understanding, His counsel and strength, His knowledge and the fear of the Lord (Is. 11). May He bring provision for each need. And may He protect your family relationships. I agree with you for His healing to come forth. As a note of encouragement, our family has been facing something similar, but instead of looking at the wind and the waves and potentially sinking, we have kept our eyes on Him and He has been Faithful and True in every way. You can trust Him. Sending you a big hug today. And surrounding you with prayer.
Oh, thank you, first of all for reading my post, Barbara, and secondly, thank you for persevering with your comment. I so appreciate knowing you are out here! I love your words, “still makes me wince sometimes.” Oh how I agree with you!
Eyes on Jesus ~ you’re shining!!
I tried commenting a day or two ago, but it didn’t go through. So I’ll try again. 🙂
I pray the Lord’s prayer for my own, too, often using it to branch out more specifically.
I love that Jesus prayer for the cup to be passed from Him, yet “Not my will, but Thine be done.” I’ve had enough experience with the Lord now to know that He has good purposes in hard things, but they still make me wince sometimes.