What It Means to Pray, “Your Will Be Done”

In review of Matthew 6:10 it says, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (NIV).

Your Kingdom come is a reference to God's spiritual reign. God's Kingdom was announced in the covenant with Abraham, is present in Christ's reign in believers' hearts, and will  be complete when all evil is destroyed and God establishes the new heaven and earth.

When I pray "your will be done," I'm not resigning myself to fate but rather by praying that God's perfect purpose will be accomplished in this world as well as in the next. God accomplishes his will on earth through people who are willing to obey him. When I say this it allows me to offer myself as a doer of God's will, asking him to guide, lead, and giving me the means to accomplish his purpose. 

I worship God when I give him my life every time I pray. Jesus teaches that when I pray, I should commit myself to God’s will.

God has a specific will for my life. Romans 12:2 says that his will is good and perfect and it fits me. Part of connecting with God is saying, “God, what is your will for me today? I want to do your will.”

In heaven, God’s will is done perfectly. The problem on earth is that God’s will is not always done. That’s why we’re to pray, “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” We’re saying, “God, I want to submit to you. I want to do what you want me to do.”

“Your will be done” can be prayed in three different ways. I can say it in resentment: “Your will be done, but I don’t like it.” I can say it in resignation: “Your will be done, because I can’t help it.” Or I can say it in anticipation: “Your will be done, because I know it is the best, and that’s what I want for my life today!”

My earthly father may not have always know what’s best, but I can trust that my heavenly Father does. That’s what it means to say, “Your will be done.”

Pray this prayer: “God, I know your will for my life is better than anything I can dream up. I want to give you my life. I want your will done in my life.”

In summary, I can pray your Kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Your Kingdom is a reference to God's spiritual reign. When I pray, I'm not resigning myself to fate, but rather by prayer that God's perfect purpose will be accomplished here and in the future. God accomplishes his will now through those who are willing to obey him. It allows me to offer myself as a doer asking for him to lead, and to give me what I need to accomplish it. I worship God when I give him my life each day. Part of my connecting with God is to ask him what his will is for me today and the desire to do it. I can accept his will in one of three ways, in resentment, in resignation, or in anticipation knowing that it is the best and what God wants for my life today. 

Father in context to what is going on in my life and with my work, I appreciate your reminder to not resent, or resign myself, but rather to anticipate knowing that you have a plan for me and things you want to accomplish. I know your general will, and I will continue to do this and listen for your voice to branch out into other things you want me to be involved with. Also, a reminder to trust you and your plan. My role is to get to know you better and to serve others. I ask today Father for wisdom and guidance for my day, my leadership and my interactions with others. As I meet with my primary care doctor I pray that he can help diagnose and help with my swelling issues. All these things I pray in your Son Jesus name, amen.