Thy will be done!

Matthew 6:10
Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.

This is part of what is typically referred to as “The Lord’s Prayer”.  It was the model prayer that Jesus gave to the multitude as He preached His sermon on the mount.  This short little verse is commonly used to punctuate a sermon or lecture about obedience.  I think there is more to it than that.

The common thought is that we are to do God’s will as it is done in heaven: immediately and without question.  After all, this is how the angels operate.  They have no choice; what God says is done.  While I believe there is a hint of truth in this type of thinking, I believe there is more to praying “Thy will be done” than just a lesson about obedience.

When Jesus walked the earth some two thousand years ago, He did the will of the Father every day.  Jesus loved others.  He fed them when they were hungry (Matthew 14:13-21); He healed them when they were sick (Mark 1:40-41); He protected them when they were in danger (Mark 4:35-40); He saved them from death (John 8:2-11).  Jesus did all of these things to fulfill the will of the Father, which is that none should perish (2 Peter 3:9).

What I’m getting at here is when we pray words like “Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” we need to think beyond the “Sir, yes sir” attitude that so many believers have.  God is not a drill instructor in the Marine Corps!  He is a Servant King, a Sacrificial Lamb, an Atoning Sacrifice.  God is your Provider, Protector, your ever present help in time of need (Psalms 46:1)!  

God’s will is health, wholeness, happiness, safety, prosperity, and life!  Jesus came that we may have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10).  So when we pray, let’s trust God for it.  When we pray “Your kingdom come, your will be done...” let’s trust God for His will, not just as obedient soldiers, but as receptive children.  When you’re praying for a job, pray with the confidence that God is providing one.  Remember, it’s His will to give you life.  When you’re praying for a healing, pray with the confidence that God is already providing one for you.  It’s His will to give you life!

Praying for the will of God to be done in your life isn’t a question, it’s a bold statement.  You know what the will of God is: life.  Pray for it to be done; pray for His kingdom to come.  Pray for heaven and all of its blessings, which include, but aren’t limited to, health, wealth, and happiness, to come to you now.  Pray that on earth you will receive just as it is in heaven!