Thy Will of My Will?

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (Ephesians 5:17)

When Christ taught us to pray in what we call the Lord’s Prayer, part of that prayer was for God’s will to be done here on earth as it is done in heaven. God has one ultimate will (desire), for everyone to come into a relationship with Him and to have salvation which was provided through Jesus’ death and resurrection. This is the will of God, that none should perish.

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)

Who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4)

To accomplish His will, God wants to use us, so when we pray for God’s will to be done, we are also praying for His will within ourselves. We are praying that we can go forth and bring about change in this world. He uses us to reach out to those who need Him and show them the way to salvation. We are part of bringing His will to earth, we are praying for ourselves to be willing and available for His use.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, (Matthew 28:19)

It is frightening to be the ones responsible for bringing about God’s will on earth and we have the free will that He gave us, to ignore that part and live only within ourselves. But how can God’s will be done on earth if we who know and love Him, don’t show His great blessings to the world?

Yes, we can choose our path. We can enjoy God’s great blessings in our own lives, knowing that we have been saved and will spend eternity with Him. We can be satisfied. But is He satisfied with us? God wants us to share the great gift He has given so that His will (desire for all to be saved) will be done on earth.

For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people. (1 Peter 2:15)

God also has a will for each of us individually. Daily He leads and guides us. There are a multitude of scriptures about God’s will for us as individuals. Many concern sin and what to avoid, how to live, and how to treat others. The bible instructs us about God’s will for our faith, how to be strong in the face of struggles, and what to watch out for that may cause us to sin.

God will not force His will on us but will gently guide and direct our path as we allow. It is up to us to listen and to follow so that we will know His will and do it.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)

God’s will for our individual lives is beautiful and full of blessings. The bible tells us how to live God’s will each day. Anything we might struggle with is addressed in the bible and we can learn His will in every situation by reading or hearing God’s word.

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever. (Isaiah 40:8)

When we pray that God’s will, that His great desire for His creation, be done on earth and in the lives of today’s people, we are asking for a mighty work to be accomplished. We are asking for everyone to come to salvation through Christ. We are asking for help and strength as we go forth to bring about this work and we are asking for guidance in our daily lives as we deal with all that the world throws at us. What a powerful prayer.

We tend to skim over that short sentence in the Lord’s prayer because it seems so simple. We need to realize that we are partners with God in bringing it about and be committed to doing His will with all the power at work within us.

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, (Ephesians 3:20)

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)

Prayer: Our Father, we ask that Your will be accomplished here in this world as well as in our own lives. We ask for your strength and guidance as we go out into the world daily and try to show and tell about Your greatness and Your Son Jesus, who died for us. Help us daily to know Your will, to do Your will, and to be thankful that we are part of Your will. Others are still lost, while we are saved, and we want to help You reach them. Give us wisdom and courage. Amen.