The Lord's Prayer - Lesson 7: Your Will Be Done

The Lord’s Prayer

Lesson 7: Your Will Be Done on Earth as It Is in Heaven

Our Father in heaven,

Hallowed be your name;

Your kingdom come;

Your will be done,

On earth as it is in heaven.

Give us this day our daily bread;

And forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors;

And do not lead us into temptation,

But deliver us from the evil.

For yours is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever.

Amen.

Matthew 6:10b Let your will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

Matthew 6:10b [ASV] Thy will be done, as in heaven, so on earth.

The Main Points for This Lesson:

What is God's will? God's will can be understood in at least two ways. These two ways are connected to each other, and both involve God and men.

One side of God's will concerns its relation to his rule over all, to all circumstances and events in the world around us. The Bible contains examples of this. God arranged all things so that Jesus would die on the cross and rise again, though it appeared that men had defeated God by putting his son on the cross. Joseph was confident at the end that God's will had been done, though it led him first through slavery and prison. The psalmist wrote, God's kingdom rules over all. The apostle Paul wrote that God works all things together for good to those who love him, to those who are called according to his purpose.

Another side of God's will concerns his law and commands. It is God's will that we love one another. He has commanded us so. It is God's will that we should be holy as he is holy. It is God's will that husbands love their wives, that wives submit to their husbands, and that children obey their parents.

The Lord's Prayer teaches us both how to pray and how to live.

When we pray, “Your will be done,” we are asking for a few things:

We are asking that God's will may be done as it regards circumstances and events. Related to that, we are asking that we may accept and give thanks in all circumstances as such circumstances and events come our way, whether they seem good or bad at the moment. Daniel understood that God intended to restore the children of Israel and their land after 70 years in Babylon, so he prayed, with much humility and confession of sin, that God's will would be done.

We are also asking that we may do our part to fulfill the will of God. Jesus did this on the mount of olives, when he prayed, “Nevertheless, not my will, but your will be done” (Matthew 26:39). Unpleasant (and worse) circumstances are unpleasant. Even Jesus asked that the cup would pass from him if possible. In the end, he desired most that God's will would be done, even if it meant that he (Jesus) would have to pass through terrible suffering and then death. So in praying this, we are asking that God's will may have the priority in our lives, even if it leads through much tribulation.

Finally, in praying this prayer, we are asking that, as regards the law and commands of God, we (I and all God's children) may have the earnest desire, the strength, and the grace to fully obey the will of God. May your will be done by us, your children, on earth, as it is by the angels in heaven.

In teaching us to pray, “Your will be done,” Jesus is also teaching us how to live.

This teaches us to trust in the Lord and do good. When circumstances are not good, or people are unkind, we can learn from this (prayer) to trust in our heavenly Father, that he rules over all, and so do good when evil presses on us.

This teaches us to give thanks in all circumstances, and for all circumstances. In the end, all things work together for good to those who love God.

This teaches us to obey God's word, which is his plain and revealed will. Can we rightly pray, “Your will be done,” while we choose to do our own will, or what is really the will (John 8:44) of the devil? As we consider that we should ask for this before we ask for our daily bread, we learn that we should count God's will as more important than our own will and desires, and so live accordingly. May we learn to delight in God's law, to delight to hear and obey the word of the Lord (Psalm 1:2; 119:92).

Suggestions:

Open each lesson with prayer for the teacher and the students and this class time.

Begin by reminding the children that we are learning about the Lord's Prayer, and that this lesson is about the third petition (or request) in the Lord's Prayer - “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Give a simple explanation of what God's will is. God's will is what God chooses to happen or chooses to do, and God’s will is what he commands us to do.

Talk with the children briefly about the will of God. Perhaps ask them questions. If God's will is what he commands us to do, what is something that is God's will for us? If God's will is something he chooses to happen, what is something that is God's will for us? (One example you might give them is that they didn't choose their parents, but were born to the parents God chose. So God's will for each child is to have and obey the parents God gave them.)

You can use the three stories below (Genesis 50:15-21; Matthew 26:36-46; Matthew 21:28-31) to teach the children about God's will. They can help illustrate humbly accepting God's will, trusting God and his will and doing good, and obedience to God's will.

Close the lesson with prayer related to the subject and the students. Pray the Lord's Prayer together.

Stories:

Genesis 50:15-21 [15] When Joseph’s brothers saw that their father was dead, they said, “It may be that Joseph will hate us, and will fully pay us back for all of the evil which we did to him.” [16] They sent a message to Joseph, saying, “Your father commanded before he died, saying, [17] ‘You shall tell Joseph, “Now please forgive the disobedience of your brothers, and their sin, because they did evil to you.”’ Now, please forgive the disobedience of the servants of the God of your father.” Joseph wept when they spoke to him. [18] His brothers also went and fell down before his face; and they said, “Behold, we are your servants.” [19] Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid, for am I in the place of God? [20] As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save many people alive. [21] Now therefore don’t be afraid. I will nourish you and your little ones.” He comforted them, and spoke kindly to them.

God was in control all along. Joseph understood this. It is easy to say that God was in control. How do we know that Joseph truly believed it? He could with a humble and submitted heart forgive and comfort his brothers. He chose to repay them good in spite of the evil they meant against him. The psalmist wrote many years later: “Trust in the Lord and do good” (Psalm 37:3). Such trust in God and his will, and the doing good that comes as a result of such trust, is one thing that we can learn, understand, and pursue as we ask our heavenly Father, “May your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

Matthew 26:36-46 [36] Then Jesus came with them to a place called Gethsemane, and said to his disciples, “Sit here, while I go there and pray.” [37] He took with him Peter and the two sons of Zebedee, and began to be sorrowful and severely troubled. [38] Then he said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here, and watch with me.” [39] He went forward a little, fell on his face, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass away from me; nevertheless, not what I desire, but what you desire.” [40] He came to the disciples, and found them sleeping, and said to Peter, “What, couldn’t you watch with me for one hour? [41] Watch and pray, that you don’t enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” [42] Again, a second time he went away, and prayed, saying, “My Father, if this cup can’t pass away from me unless I drink it, your desire be done.” [43] He came again and found them sleeping, for their eyes were heavy. [44] He left them again, went away, and prayed a third time, saying the same words. [45] Then he came to his disciples, and said to them, “Sleep on now, and take your rest. Behold, the hour is at hand, and the Son of Man is betrayed into the hands of sinners. [46] Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.”

Here we see Jesus before the tribulation comes. Even though he knows the terrible suffering that will come, he is still willing to pray, “Your will be done,” and to accept its coming. Do we find Jesus angry with God, or bitter because of this? No. He trusted fully in his heavenly Father, and could sincerely pray, “Your will be done.” May we learn to pray with such a heart and mind.

Matthew 21:28-31 [28] But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first, and said, ‘Son, go work today in my vineyard.’ [29] He answered, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he changed his mind, and went. [30] He came to the second, and said the same thing. He answered, ‘I go, sir,’ but he didn’t go. [31] Which of the two did the will of his father?” They said to him, “The first.” Jesus said to them, “Most certainly I tell you that the tax collectors and the prostitutes are entering into the Kingdom of God before you. [32] For John came to you in the way of righteousness, and you didn’t believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes believed him. When you saw it, you didn’t even repent afterward, that you might believe him.

The point of this story is not that it is good or even acceptable to say “No.” Rather, Jesus taught us that the one who actually obeyed is the one who did the will of his father. It is good to pray to our heavenly Father, “Your will be done,” if we actually do the will of our heavenly Father. May God grant us grace to obey his will in all things.

More Stories and Examples:

THE WILL OF GOD – WHO RULES OVER ALL

Acts 21:7-14 [7] When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais. We greeted the brothers, and stayed with them one day. [8] On the next day, we, who were Paul’s companions, departed, and came to Caesarea. We entered into the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. [9] Now this man had four virgin daughters who prophesied. [10] As we stayed there some days, a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. [11] Coming to us, and taking Paul’s belt, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit: ‘So will the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man who owns this belt, and will deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” [12] When we heard these things, both we and they of that place begged him not to go up to Jerusalem. [13] Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” [14] When he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, “The Lord’s will be done.”

THE WILL OF GOD – HIS WILL FOR US TO OBEY

Matthew 12:46-50 [46] While he was yet speaking to the multitudes, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, seeking to speak to him. [47] One said to him, “Behold, your mother and your brothers stand outside, seeking to speak to you.” [48] But he answered him who spoke to him, “Who is my mother? Who are my brothers?” [49] He stretched out his hand towards his disciples, and said, “Behold, my mother and my brothers! [50] For whoever does the will of my Father who is in heaven, he is my brother, and sister, and mother.”

John 4:30-34 [30] They went out of the city, and were coming to him. [31] In the meanwhile, the disciples urged him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.” [32] But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you don’t know about.” [33] The disciples therefore said one to another, “Has anyone brought him something to eat?” [34] Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.

Other Verses:

THE WILL OF GOD – WHO RULES OVER ALL

Psalm 103:19-22 [19] Yahweh has established his throne in the heavens. His kingdom rules over all. [20] Praise Yahweh, you angels of his, who are mighty in strength, who fulfill his word, obeying the voice of his word. [21] Praise Yahweh, all you armies of his, you servants of his, who do his pleasure. [22] Praise Yahweh, all you works of his, in all places of his dominion. Praise Yahweh, my soul!

Proverbs 3:5-6 [5] Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don’t lean on your own understanding. [6] In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight.

In some matters, and principles, God has made his will known. We should love one another, walk in humility, lay up treasure in heaven, not on earth, etc. In other matters, God has not made his will explicitly known. What available occupation should I pursue? Whom should I marry? Where should I live? While the principles in God's word and the fellowship of God's people may clarify some of these matters, some measure of uncertainty may remain. In such cases we more clearly see the wisdom of the writer of Proverbs who tells us to acknowledge God in all our ways. That is, we are to confess that he is God, and that his name and kingdom are of first importance. Having acknowledged this, we ask God to direct us on, or redirect us to, the straight path of his will for his glory. Your will be done.

Proverbs 21:30 There is no wisdom nor understanding nor counsel against Yahweh.

Jeremiah 29:10 For thus says Yahweh, After seventy years are accomplished for Babylon, I will visit you, and perform my good word toward you, in causing you to return to this place.

Daniel 9:1-4,16-19 [1] In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasuerus, of the seed of the Medes, who was made king over the realm of the Chaldeans, [2] in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years about which Yahweh’s word came to Jeremiah the prophet, for the accomplishing of the desolations of Jerusalem, even seventy years. [3] I set my face to the Lord God, to seek by prayer and petitions, with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. [4] I prayed to Yahweh my God, and made confession, and said, Oh, Lord, the great and dreadful God, who keeps covenant and loving kindness with those who love him and keep his commandments, [16] Lord, according to all your righteousness, let your anger and please let your wrath be turned away from your city Jerusalem, your holy mountain; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and your people have become a reproach to all who are around us. [17] Now therefore, our God, listen to the prayer of your servant, and to his petitions, and cause your face to shine on your sanctuary that is desolate, for the Lord’s sake. [18] My God, turn your ear, and hear; open your eyes, and see our desolations, and the city which is called by your name: for we do not present our petitions before you for our righteousness, but for your great mercies’ sake. [19] Lord, hear; Lord, forgive; Lord, listen and do; don’t defer, for your own sake, my God, because your city and your people are called by your name.

Jeremiah prophesied that Israel would be carried out of the land and serve Babylon for 70 years. After the 70 years, Israel would be restored to the land. This was God's will. It is interesting and important to note that Daniel, upon understanding that the 70 years of service had been completed (or was near completion), did not simply patiently wait for this prophecy to be fulfilled. Instead, he earnestly prayed that God's will (as revealed through Jeremiah's prophecy) would be done. He prayed that God would forgive them for their sins and would restore the people and the land for his name's sake.

Matthew 26:46-56 [46] Arise, let’s be going. Behold, he who betrays me is at hand.” [47] While he was still speaking, behold, Judas, one of the twelve, came, and with him a great multitude with swords and clubs, from the chief priest and elders of the people. [48] Now he who betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, “Whoever I kiss, he is the one. Seize him.” [49] Immediately he came to Jesus, and said, “Hail, Rabbi!” and kissed him. [50] Jesus said to him, “Friend, why are you here?” Then they came and laid hands on Jesus, and took him. [51] Behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand, and drew his sword, and struck the servant of the high priest, and struck off his ear. [52] Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place, for all those who take the sword will die by the sword. [53] Or do you think that I couldn’t ask my Father, and he would even now send me more than twelve legions of angels? [54] How then would the Scriptures be fulfilled that it must be so?” [55] In that hour Jesus said to the multitudes, “Have you come out as against a robber with swords and clubs to seize me? I sat daily in the temple teaching, and you didn’t arrest me. [56] But all this has happened, that the Scriptures of the prophets might be fulfilled.” Then all the disciples left him, and fled.

Acts 2:22-24 [22] “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in your midst, even as you yourselves know, [23] him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; [24] whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it.

Acts 3:17-18 [17] “Now, brothers, I know that you did this in ignorance, as did also your rulers. [18] But the things which God announced by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he thus fulfilled.

[see also 13:27-29]

Acts 4:21-31 [21] When they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding no way to punish them, because of the people; for everyone glorified God for that which was done. [22] For the man on whom this miracle of healing was performed was more than forty years old. [23] Being let go, they came to their own company, and reported all that the chief priests and the elders had said to them. [24] When they heard it, they lifted up their voice to God with one accord, and said, “O Lord, you are God, who made the heaven, the earth, the sea, and all that is in them; [25] who by the mouth of your servant, David, said, ‘Why do the nations rage, and the peoples plot a vain thing? [26] The kings of the earth take a stand, and the rulers take council together, against the Lord, and against his Christ.’ [27] “For truly, in this city against your holy servant, Jesus, whom you anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together [28] to do whatever your hand and your council foreordained to happen. [29] Now, Lord, look at their threats, and grant to your servants to speak your word with all boldness, [30] while you stretch out your hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of your holy Servant Jesus.” [31] When they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were gathered together. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.

Romans 8:28 We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

1 Timothy 2:1-4 [1] I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: [2] for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and reverence. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; [4] who desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth.

God desires all people to be saved. How does he go about achieving this desire? God uses means to bring about his will. He exhorts his people, his children, to pray for all men. He exhorts his people to live a quiet life in all godliness and reverence. These are some of the means God uses in leading sinners to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus. May God give us a greater earnestness to pray for all men, and grace to live in all godliness and reverence in this life.

THE WILL OF GOD – HIS WILL FOR US TO OBEY

Psalm 40:8 I delight to do your will, my God. Yes, your law is within my heart.”

Proverbs 3:17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness. All her paths are peace.

Ezekiel 33:11 Tell them, As I live, says the Lord Yahweh, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn, turn from your evil ways; for why will you die, house of Israel?

It seems that God's will is at times contingent upon our choices. If we follow after and hold onto sin, God will give us death. On one hand, God has said he will do this. On the other hand, God has also said that he has no pleasure in the death of the wicked. Rather, he has pleasure in the life and living of those who turn from their wicked way. The apostle Paul exhorts us to present our bodies living sacrifices to God, to not be conformed to the world, but be transformed, so that we may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God (Romans 12:1-2).

Matthew 7:21-27 [21] Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into the Kingdom of Heaven; but he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. [22] Many will tell me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in your name, in your name cast out demons, and in your name do many mighty works?’ [23] Then I will tell them, ‘I never knew you. Depart from me, you who work iniquity.’ [24] “Everyone therefore who hears these words of mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man, who built his house on a rock. [25] The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it didn’t fall, for it was founded on the rock. [26] Everyone who hears these words of mine, and doesn’t do them will be like a foolish man, who built his house on the sand. [27] The rain came down, the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat on that house; and it fell—and great was its fall.”

Acts 13:21-22 [21] Afterward they asked for a king, and God gave to them Saul the son of Kish, a man of the tribe of Benjamin, for forty years. [22] When he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, to whom he also testified, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’

Romans 12:1-2 [1] Therefore I urge you, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service. [2] Don’t be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what is the good, well-pleasing, and perfect will of God.

Ephesians 5:15-17 [15] Therefore watch carefully how you walk, not as unwise, but as wise; [16] redeeming the time, because the days are evil. [17] Therefore don’t be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

Ephesians 6:5-8 [5] Servants, be obedient to those who according to the flesh are your masters, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as to Christ; [6] not in the way of service only when eyes are on you, as men pleasers; but as servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; [7] with good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men; [8] knowing that whatever good thing each one does, he will receive the same again from the Lord, whether he is bound or free.

1 Thessalonians 4:1-8 [1] Finally then, brothers, we beg and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, that you abound more and more. [2] For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus. [3] For this is the will of God: your sanctification, that you abstain from sexual immorality, [4] that each one of you know how to possess himself of his own vessel in sanctification and honor, [5] not in the passion of lust, even as the Gentiles who don’t know God; [6] that no one should take advantage of and wrong a brother or sister in this matter; because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as also we forewarned you and testified. [7] For God called us not for uncleanness, but in sanctification. [8] Therefore he who rejects this doesn’t reject man, but God, who has also given his Holy Spirit to you.

According to the apostle's words here, God's will is our sanctification. We pray, “Lord, sanctify me. May your will be done.” We must remember that in many things of God, we have a part. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us, but we must be careful not to quench the Spirit (1 Thessalonians 5:19). The epistle to the Ephesians mentions “the washing of water in the word” (Ephesians 5:26), but we must read, hear and obey the word if we would have it wash us. We have been crucified with Christ, yet we are exhorted to make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts (Romans 13:14). And so in praying, “Your will be done,” we are asking that God would do his part in this work, and that we would have all we need to do our part in it, in working out our salvation with fear and trembling. Surely God will give (and has given) all that we need for life and godliness.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 [16] Rejoice always. [17] Pray without ceasing. [18] In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus toward you.

[see also Ephesians 5:20 regarding giving thanks for all things.]

Hebrews 10:35-36 [35] Therefore don’t throw away your boldness, which has a great reward. [36] For you need endurance so that, having done the will of God, you may receive the promise.

Hebrews 13:20-21 [20] Now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead the great shepherd of the sheep with the blood of an eternal covenant, our Lord Jesus, [21] make you complete in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

1 Peter 2:11-16 [11] Beloved, I beg you as foreigners and pilgrims, to abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul; [12] having good behavior among the nations, so in that of which they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they see, glorify God in the day of visitation. [13] Therefore subject yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether to the king, as supreme; [14] or to governors, as sent by him for vengeance on evildoers and for praise to those who do well. [15] For this is the will of God, that by well-doing you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish men: [16] as free, and not using your freedom for a cloak of wickedness, but as bondservants of God.

1 Peter 4:1-2 [1] Therefore, since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; [2] that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.