In our next petition, we are again aligning ourselves to the concept that God is greater than us, His will is greater than ours and His kingdom is greater than ours.

On Earth as it is in Heaven

Firstly, we are asking that God’s will be just like it is in heaven – where everything is perfect. Outside of this sinful world, everything happens exactly as God wills it. Why is it different here? It is not that God does not have the power to make everything just happen (what some would call determinism, no free will), but that he allows us to choose to work with Him (which is free will). God wants us to have free will, but at the same time, wants us to choose to honour Him with that free will.

Your will be done

What we are praying then is firstly that God’s purposes would be accomplished in this world. We pray that the things that He wants to happen actually do happen.

Which brings us to the same point as yesterday, that is, why would we bother praying this? We need a reminder. Before we pray for anything else (and that is coming soon), we need a reminder that Gods will is above our will. That we need to be doing the things that God wants us to do.

I think also once we are abiding in His will, the rest will come without question. We will be fed, we will be forgiven, and we will be protected. We will still be tempted, but we will always have a way out.

Letting Go

But what God wants is for us to let go of those things that we think we need. Maybe we do really need them – and He will provide. Maybe we really want something, and God will provide it anyhow, because He gave us that desire. But first we are called to lay it all before Him, to ensure that all of these things are in His will. And if you think about it, when an all-powerful, loving, merciful God is looking out for you, He knows better than you do the things you need, and what will be the best choices and outcomes for all things.

So as we pray ‘Your will be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven’, we are really reminding ourselves that for that to occur, we need to first let go of all of our troubles, all of our wants, all of our desires, all of our hurts and all of our concerns. We need to let go of everything, and allow us to be aligned to His will.

Matthew 11:28-30 (ESV)

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

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