Matthew 6:9-13 “Your Will On Earth”
Author: Dr. George M. Flattery“Your Will On Earth”
NAU Matthew 6:9 “Pray, then, in this way: ‘Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 ‘Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. 11 ‘Give us this day our daily bread. 12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 ‘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 .’
More Thoughts from The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13.
There are three petitions in the first set forth by Jesus. We pray for God’s name to be hallowed, for His kingdom to come, and then we submit ourselves to His will. The third petition is “Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven” (NASB).
We can utter no finer words than “Your will be done.” This petition reveals a willingness to follow God without reservation. Some people think it is a lack of faith to pray this way when God has expressed His will. Perhaps it can be, but it need not be so. Even when we know the will of God, it expresses an appropriate submission.
Jesus was “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Rev. 13:8 KJV). He knew He was to die. Yet, in the garden of Gethsemane, He prayed, “O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt” (Mt. 26:39 KJV).
Even in our earthly interactions, we often say, “if you please.” We may already know the good pleasure of another, but we are polite. How much more ought we to be submissive to our heavenly Father. This does not conflict with boldness. We do not come in fear. Submissiveness and boldness are harmonious. We can come boldly because we are submissive.
More Thoughts from The Lord’s Prayer, Matthew 6:9-13.
Jesus exhorts us to pray that God’s will be done “on earth as it is in heaven.” With regard to God’s will “on earth” many points are made clear in the Word of God. However, there are things in life that are not directly revealed to us. Sometimes it seems that God leaves the decision up to us. At other times, the Spirit prays through us (Rom. 8:26-27) according to the will of God. These prayers can be with groanings too deep for words.
On earth, until the return of Christ, we will not see the complete fulfillment of all the promises of God. We pray for His will to be done on earth We receive and experience much, but there will always be more to receive. The earthly environment, because of ungodly influences, does not harmonize with the complete fulfillment. These influences have to be overcome.
Our prayer is that God’s will be done on earth “as it is in heaven.” In heaven, the will of God is perfectly done. He implements His will without hindrance from men who do not follow Him. When Jesus comes back, a new order will be established. Heaven’s rule will be consummated in our lives. All barriers will be removed. The power of the kingdom will be unhindered in any way. Meanwhile, we rejoice in what we already see and experience.
George M. Flattery, Ed.D., is the founder of Global University and Network211.