Shane Legler

The model prayer that Jesus gave his followers begins, “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on Earth as it is in heaven,” Matthew 6:9-10. 

Christians often recite these words, but, as with all things in God’s word, it is good to think on what they mean. Could it be possible that Jesus wanted us to pray this way because the accomplishment of Almighty God’s will is ever in any doubt? That certainly can’t be the reason because God’s ultimate plan and purpose will not be frustrated. Therefore, why have us pray for what shall surely and ultimately be done?

The answer is that God would have us agree with him in prayer. He would have us be willing to have his will done, not only in the Earth at large, but in us and through us. The real question is not whether God’s will shall be done but what part we are going to have in it. Are we going, as C.S. Lewis once noted, to play the part of a John or a Judas. God is always at work seeing his will accomplished in this fallen world, and he invites us to join him in that work. Sometimes the work is pleasant. Sometimes, it is not, but God always has work to be done.

In fact, believers are told in Ephesians 2:10 that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” 

The work God offers us is a blessing rather than a curse, but we have to be willing to do it. The prophet Isaiah tells us he heard God say, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then he responded, “Here I am! Send me,” Isaiah 6:8. 

This was Isaiah’s simple yes to God, and he meant it. Because he was willing to have the will of God accomplished through him we have a whole book in the Old Testament that bears his name.

That said, many often repeat Isaiah’s “Here I am send me,” but they don’t actually join God in his work. The Lord gave us a warning about saying “yes” without following through in his “The Parable of the Two Sons.”

One said “yes sir” but never did the work; the other said “I will not” but changed his mind and did it. Only the one who worked was said to have done his father’s will. 

Of course, there are some who may say, “Well, I’m willing, but I’m not sure what he wills that I do.” 

May I gently say that we often make that which is simple into something far more complicated that it needs to be. The Lord who created us knows us. He calls us children. He calls us sheep. Therefore, he doesn’t make it overly complicated. 

He has made his will plain to us in the Bible. Additionally, he gives us the Holy Spirit to guide us into all truth, and he has made his church to bear witness of his will to the whole world. God does not want anyone to be ignorant of his will. In short, he calls on us all to turn from our sin and believe in Christ crucified, risen and reigning for forgiveness and salvation. From there he wants us to love Christ and keep his commandments. Simple.

As to the specifics of joining God in the work that he has specifically prepared for you, it just comes down to always saying yes and following through on it every day. Whatever he brings before you, do it. Don’t overthink it. Don’t make what is simple complicated. 

Soldiers will often say that they volunteer once, and the rest takes care of itself. Our Christian walk is not dissimilar to enlistment. Once you sincerely yield your will to God, he will take it from there. Daniel didn’t look to get thrown into a lion’s den so he could be an example of faithfulness to generations of kids in Sunday school. He was just willing to leave his window open when he prayed because it pleased God. The rest took care of itself.

When God told Abraham to move to a new location, he said yes, and the rest is history. Every hero of the faith from Abel to this day has just been willing to agree with God in everyday things according to their everyday means. From that simple willingness, God has done something extraordinary through them. 

As in all things, our Lord Jesus shows us what it means to say, “Your will be done on Earth as in heaven” when he prayed on the night before he was crucified for us “Father, if you are willing, remove this cup from me. Nevertheless, not my will, but yours, be done,” Luke 22:42. 

After praying, he walked out to meet the men coming to arrest him in accordance with the Father’s will. Truly, the entirety of the Christian walk can be summed up in this one short prayer, “Father … not my will, but yours, be done.” 

May we all be willing the will of God.

(Shane Legler is pastor at Garland Community Church of God.)