Your Will Be Done

We get so wrapped up in what's going on in the ups and downs of our own life that sometimes it seems we need a kick in the pants to to get our focus back where it belongs.

Though we don't make it to church often, we are always so blessed when we do. This morning's sermon "The Most Difficult Prayer We Will Ever Pray" really spoke to both of us..

Matthew 6:9-13 is commonly referred to as "The Lord's Prayer". Luke 11 references this passage as well and also records that the disciples wanted Jesus to teach them to pray just as John the Baptist taught his disciples to pray. Jesus responded, "This, then, is how you should pray:"

"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.
For Yours is the kingdom,
And the power and the glory forever.
Amen."
(New International Version)

The main focus of PT's sermon was in verse 10 "Your will be done". If we truly mean it when we pray "Your will be done" we're committing to take our hands off and allow Him to have free reign. The key is giving up control!

Ouch!! Anyone else feel their toes just got trampled all over?

That "c" word ranks right up there with the all too familiar "p" word (pride). In reality, control is only an illusion; and pride...well, you know the Proverb "pride goes before destruction". The crux of the matter is, Satan tries to fool us into thinking we know best, and then we begin to believe the lie that what we want is better than what God wants for us.

Many (most?) of our prayers are based around a desire for God to change our circumstances to our liking. "You know, God, I've got this handled. Everything's all lined out, ready to fall into place. If you would just take care of this one little circumstance and bless this plan, I'll take it from there". However, God's more interested in changing our hearts.....the way we relate to our circumstances; not necessarily changing the cirsumstance itself.

This kind of prayer demands total dependence and absolute trust! Yet, when we choose His path, we can pray "Your will be done" without reservation! The truth is, when we have an abiding, intimate relationship with God, He will change our desires to be in line with His desires for us.

It's not about us--what we want--it's about following His will and giving Him glory. Not always an easy task. Jesus knew this first hand; He faced tremendous pain and suffering in His obedience. He was confident in His commitment to do whatever was His Father's will!

In John 6:38 Jesus said: "For I have come down from heaven to do the will of God who sent me, not to do what I want."

Yes, God's will is sometimes hard to understand. It can be costly and often brings pain and suffering...but are you willing to consider the cost of living outside of His will?

"How can we understand the road we travel? It is the Lord who directs our steps." Proverbs 20:24

Thanks, PT! Needed the reminder that it's not about our circumstances being changed (tho we'd really like that!) but all about allowing Him to mold our hearts through the circumstances.