Thy Will Be Done

We discuss and reason endlessly when it comes to the subject of suffering and God’s will. It is one of the most unfathomable areas of all. Dreadful events happen, Christians and non-Christians suffer, Christians and non-Christians are spared from suffering. Does prayer have any effect? How can we not reconcile our logic and understanding with God’s ways? He is all loving, all powerful, yet good people suffer. Is this not something that causes the enemies of God to scoff and gloat?

The whole area of suffering and God's will is a huge topic for Christians to grapple with, but one small insight which has offered me comfort over the years is found in the verses of Matthew 6:9-13 (the Lord's Prayer).

“Thy kingdom come,

Thy will be done

On earth, as it is in Heaven.”

“Thy will be done” lies within two supporting lines.

“Thy kingdom come” means to me that we want to see Christ’s kingdom established in the world, in the hearts and minds of those we know and love and universally in every nation on earth. May Your will for my life, Lord, be part of what You are doing to establish Your kingdom in my family, my neighbourhood, my world.

“On earth, as it is in Heaven.” That phrase tells me that those things which are begun on earth will be continued in heaven. Those things that we desire and earnestly pray for which we believe to be in God's will, if not accomplished or completed here on earth, will be perfected in heaven. The sick will be well. Sorrow will be no more. Death will be gone forever. What a wonderful hope! What an anchor of comfort for those who remain on earth.

May Your will be done. May we pray those words trusting that Your will in our lives will help establish Your kingdom. May we know that Your will for our lives also extends to our eternal life with You.