Hi, I’m Daniel Westfall on the channel “Pray with Me”.
Today, let’s continue praying the Lord’s Prayer. We will focus on the phrase “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” First, the whole prayer:
Our Father in Heaven,
Hallowed be your name.
Your kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth as in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread.
And forgive us our sins as we forgive those who sin against us.
Save us from the time of trial,
And deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, now and forever,
Amen.
Our Father, “Your will be done on earth as in heaven.” We thank you for Jesus, who came from heaven to earth to show us your will. We learn what your will is by looking at what he did. Jesus healed the sick, fed the hungry, set captives free, made the lame walk and the blind to see. Jesus preached the good news of the Kingdom of Heaven to the homeless and the forsaken and the sick and the outcasts. May we follow his example of doing your will — caring for the lost in our society, healing the wounds and forgiving the sins of many.
Our Father, teach us to know the difference between our will and your will. Many of the things we desire are things you want for us: healthy families, success at work, a peaceful country, salvation for the world. These are things that would answer the prayer, “Your will be done on earth as in heaven.”
But other things you desire are not so evident. Aldous Huxley said that “Your will be done” is prayed by millions who haven’t the slightest intention of letting any will be done except their own. Jesus said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” I’m glad Jesus carried his cross, but I don’t think I want a cross of my own. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit and the meek and those who mourn and the persecuted.” I’m not sure I want to be poor and meek and sad and persecuted.
Our Father, I like it that you are king, and I like it that Jesus and I are sons of the king. But one night when Jesus lived on earth, he prayed, “Father, I’m not really excited about the direction things are taking here. If possible, can you change the plan? Yet not my will but yours be done.” And it was your will that answered his prayer by sending him to die on the cross. Shall I pray as Jesus did, “Not my will but yours be done?”
But still we pray as Jesus taught us, “Your will be done on earth as in heaven.” We rejoice in your will when it brings hope and healing and riches and light. We submit to your will when it brings a cross and death. With Jesus, may we lose our own will, and find your will on earth.
And with Jesus, may we find at last our resurrection to eternal life.
Our Father, your will be done.
Amen.
I’m Daniel on the channel “Pray with Me”.
Pray with Me 