The two requests in verse 10 of the Lord’s Prayer are two sides of the same coin (Matthew 6:9-13). When we pray for God to rule as king, we’re also acknowledging that we will obey the King and do His bidding.
God has planned good for us (Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28), so we can pray, “May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.” This is a prayer of submission and surrender, in which we ask God to conquer us, to overcome our sinful will and willful resistance, and to align our wills to His perfect one. It’s a prayer that says, “We choose to obey God.” But what is God asking us to do?
First, God’s will for unbelievers is that they believe in Jesus Christ and receive salvation (John 6:40; 1 Timothy 2:3-4). Second, if you’re a believer in Jesus, you’re already in God’s saving will. God wants us to know His good and perfect will (Romans 12:2). He wants us to be holy (1 Thessalonians 4:3) and Christlike (Romans 8:29). He wants us to live honorable lives (1 Peter 2:15) and to suffer for doing good—not evil (1 Peter 3:17, 4:19). He wants us to be thankful in all circumstances (1 Thessalonians 5:18). The list could go on and on, for the Bible provides clear direction for life’s decisions (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
The problem, then, is not that we can’t know God’s will. Rather, we’re often unwilling to do what we already know is God’s will (Deuteronomy 29:29; John 7:17). That’s why it’s so important that we pray more and more, “May Your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven. Lord, I want to obey You now. And I pray that the whole world will obey You too.”
More:
I take joy in doing Your will, my God, for Your instructions are written on my heart (Psalm 40:8).
Next:
What has God’s Word been telling you to do that you’ve put off or haven’t carried out? Don’t delay. What will you do to accomplish it today?
Giovani Gracianti on August 25, 2010 at 7:27 pm
Trust and Obey
JL Tan on August 25, 2010 at 8:13 pm
Is delayed obedience necessarily disobedience? Can’t our magnanimous God condone our struggle of will or even our habit of procrastination?
Terrence on October 21, 2010 at 7:06 am
Always Trust in him he will show the way ….
JL Tan on August 26, 2010 at 12:06 am
Thanks KT for the comprehensive reply and for helping me see that “there is incentive for immediate obedience”. I am convicted.
I think alot of times my struggle is with the “convenience” issue. A lot of “me and mine” concerns that bog me down. So I let the Lord “wait”…
Guess in the end you summarised it succinctly – it boils down to issue of faith, that if I take care of His businessand do His will, He will take care of mine.
May God continue to “work in us to will and do that which is pleasing to Him”.