Teach Me To PrayMuestra

The Lord’s Prayer: The Third Petition

When you pray, say: ‘Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven’ (Luke 11:2; Matthew 6:10). Doesn’t this sound backward? You come to God in prayer to tell him what you want, and then Jesus says that a better way is to come to God in prayer and first ask him what he wants.

Wise counsel. The point is that you won’t know what is good for you until you are tuned into his goodness. You won’t know what is the smart thing to pray for until you are first tuned into his wisdom.

Jesus modeled this humble, healthy attitude all the way to the cross. As he himself fought the terrible spiritual struggle to stay committed to the plan that he offer up his life, he went to his Father in prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane. He prayed, “Not my will but yours be done.” The result was a strengthened resolve that led to Satan’s crushing defeat and forgiveness won for the whole world.

The greatest and most satisfying moments in your life will occur when you are carrying out God’s will as his joyful agent on earth.