We pray our prayer for God to do his work. We pray for healing. We pray for success. We pray for safety. There are many things we ask God to do. As we finish our prayers we make sure to add one little important piece: “not my will be done, but your will be done.”
We are taught to pray according to God’s will. This is a good thing. Jesus told us to do this in the Lord’s Prayer. He told us to pray “God’s will be done on earth as it is in heaven” (see Matthew 6:10). Jesus also gives us the example in the Garden of Gethsemane where he asked the Father to remove the cup of suffering. But then he adds, “not my will be done, but your will be done” (see Matthew 26:39).
We want God’s will to be done. We know that God’s will for our good. The danger is when we use God’s will as an excuse. We don’t add God’s will be done because of faith, but because of doubt.
Take illness as an example. God’s will is for healing (see yesterday’s post). It is not his desire that any of his children suffers. So when we pray for healing, we don’t need to ask God to answer that prayer if it is his will. We know it is his will! We know it is his desire! Maybe the reason we add “your will be done” is because we doubt God will heal and don’t want to be disappointed.
I wonder if our use of “your will be done” is more of a crutch than it is an earnest desire for God to do what he will do. In Ephesians it says:
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 (ESV)
God will never answer a prayer of faith in a lesser way. He may answer it in a greater way, but never a lesser way. Many of us are confident that God “can do.” Fewer of us have confidence that God “will do.” We have no doubt that God will answer the prayers of others in powerful ways, but when it comes to our prayers, we are not so sure.
A big part of praying boldly is knowing God. The deeper you go in your relationship with him, the more bold and confident you become. You come to understand in a greater way, what God wants to do in your life. You move past asking “if” it be his will. You start to ask because you know it is his will.
So what about Jesus in the Garden? Think about what Jesus was asking. He came to this earth with a mission. His mission was the salvation of the world. He KNEW it was the Father’s will. He KNEW what he had to do, but he wanted to be honest with the Father that if there was another way.
The path of faith is not always an easy path to follow. There will be times where God will lead us in places we don’t want to go. It is his will for us to do the hard thing. The path of obedience is the narrow path. We might want to walk the wide road, but Jesus is guiding us to take the narrow path.
Generosity is difficult. Sharing our faith is difficult. Loving our enemies is difficult. These are God’s will. These are things we may not want to do. In the end, it is Holy Spirit who gives us the ability to follow. Remember Paul said that God loves a cheerful giver. God’s will is not for us to ever do anything grudgingly or out of obligation (see 2 Corinthians 9:7). It is will that all we do is a joyful response to the love and grace he has showered on us. May God’s will be done!
Questions for Reflection
- Why do you think we are asked to pray God’s will to be done?
- How do we know God’s will?
- What is a difficult thing you know God desires you to do but have a difficult time doing?
- Share your comments.
Cynthia Romeo (McGrane) says
I am currently is a situation at work; my co-manager is going behind my back to our superiors telling them things about me that are untrue. Its very hurtful and I feel that I can’t trust her.
I’ve never been one to suffer in silence; I think God’s will is for me to forgive her and not complain to others. This is very difficult for me; I’ve already comlained to some (mostly for advise) but still it feels like I’m gossiping.
I think God wants me to put my trust in Him; I think I do but if that were true then why do I feel so angry. I want revenge; though I would never cause her the same embarressment – its just not my style.
Cindy says
Cynthia, you feel angry because you are angry. I have an ongoing family situation in which someone hurt me deeply. It caused me deep grief and anger. I learned to forgive. Continually forgiving this person every time that grief and anger welled to the top. After a period of time it lessened ( my anger) and after more time it lessened more. Several family members who initially sided with the offending person have since let it be known they no longer side with her. I do not speak ill of her ever and when she is in my home I thank her for coming. I do not want her to feel ill at ease. . I believe that it is God’s will that I live a life that shows her the depth of God’s love no matter what so she will eventually be able to hear the gospel. Put your trust in Him daily, hourly if necessary. Pray for your co-worker, Ask forgiveness for your anger and for the strength to forgive. We forgive because we don’t want our unforgiveness to become between us & God. And at an appropriate time in an appropriate manner, if it comes up, defend yourself. I suspect you’re reputation and the co-worker’s reputations are already known by your supervisors. Prayers to you for peace and strength.
gina1106 says
Loved your answer to Cynthia Cindy … very well said. Blessings to both of you.