Prayer Week 9: Thy Will Be Done

What do our prayers mostly consist of? Is it mainly requests, asking God for what we want, or telling Him what is going on and how we feel? None of these are bad, we should be this confident and open with our Maker. However, this is not all there is to prayer, and at times I believe that even in these our focus can be wrong.

 

Luke 22:41-42 New American Standard Bible 1995

And He withdrew from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and began to pray, saying, “Father, if You are willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done.”

Isaiah 55:8-9 New American Standard Bible 1995

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts,
Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord.
“For as the heavens are higher than the earth,
So are My ways higher than your ways
And My thoughts than your thoughts.”

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 New American Standard Bible 1995

Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

 

Our main focus in prayer should not be that God does what we want, but that God’s will is done. We do not always know what is best for us, but God always does. Of course we can and should talk to God about how we feel and what we want, but it should always be with an attitude of submission and trust, relinquishing control to the One who is all-powerful and sovereign. Even Jesus, the Son of God, prayed for what He wanted, but added that ultimately He wanted God’s will, not His, to be done. He also taught His disciples to pray with this attitude.

 

Matthew 6:9-13 New American Standard Bible 1995 (emphasis added)

“Pray, then, in this way:

‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.’]

 

This week as you pray, let this be your only focus. In every situation, no matter what it is, let these be the only words you pray about it. Surrender control to God. Surrender every situation over to His power and holy will.

 

Romans 12:2 New International Version

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

 

God’s will is completely good and perfect. He is trustworthy. Entrust your life and situations to Him. Allow them to be used for your good and His glory, as platforms to show His mighty power.

Prayer points taken from Praying Through Adversity by Jennifer Kennedy Dean.