Thy Will Be Done

I don't know about you, but on this Pilgrim walk, I have struggled with praying "thy will be done"?  Yet Gods' Word tells us:

For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven 

is my brother and sister and mother.”

Matthew 12:50

So what is holding us me back from praying "thy will be done"?

Thy Will Be Done - Fear

I am ashamed to admit that I can fear God's will, but I am just being brutally honest here...

For those I intercede for, I believe God's will to be my desired answers to the very prayers I am praying; believing big that God will do a mighty work in the situation whether it be healing, provision or redemption.

When If I pray for myself, often I feel that God's will is not the answer I am hoping for.  Instead, I  expect the answer to be one of painful pruning.  

Yet if I were to write how many times the Lord did indeed give me the desires of my  heart, I could write a large volume book.  I have been in awe at how the Lord has answered prayers regarding my hopes and desires so specifically, and many times above and beyond what I could have hoped or imagined.

But heres the thing, the most joy-filled answers to prayer I have received indeed came through painful pruning.

I thank Thee, Lord, Thou wert too wise to heed

My feeble prayers, and answer as I sought,

Since these rich gifts Thy bounty has bestowed

Have brought me more than all I asked or thought;

Giver of good, so answer each request

With Thine own giving, better than my best.

--Annie Johnson Flint

As for God, his way is perfect. 

Psalm 18:30

Thy Will Be Done - Perfect Love Casts Out Fear

No matter how painful the circumstances of our Pilgrim walk might be, we have a God whose will for our lives begins and ends with Love.

For this is the will of my Father, 

that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, 

and I will raise him up on the last day.”

John 6:40

And every day in between...

For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, 

"plans to prosper you and not to harm you, 

plans to give you hope and a future.

Jeremiah 29:11

Thy Will Be Done - The Living Word

From my own experience and in talking with others, I have found that, especially with life's big decisions, such as choosing a spouse, buying a house, or job decisions, many can struggle with truly knowing the will of God...

Do not be conformed to this world, 

but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, 

that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, 

what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Romans 12:2

It is through God's living Word that our minds are renewed and transformed to be like Christ and to thereby know the will of God...

By which he has granted to us his precious and very great promises, 

so that through them you may become partakers of the divine nature,

having escaped from the corruption that is in the world because of sinful desire.

2 Peter 1:4

I remember many years ago, when I still attended the Catholic church, the priest held up the Bible and said, this Holy book contains,  Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth.  He went on to say that everything we needed to know about life, living and living for God were contained within the pages of God's Holy Word, and that these Words of Life would prepare us for Eternal Life, in the Kingdom of God, in the presence of Jesus...

I delight to do your will, O my God; 

your law is within my heart.”

Psalm 40:8

There are several Bible verses that give very specific instructions about the will of God in a Believers life...

Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise,  making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be foolish, but understand 

what the Lord’s will is. Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, 

be filled with the Spirit,  speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord,  always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Ephesians 5:15-20

It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: 

that you should avoid sexual immorality;

1 Thessalonians 4:3

For it is God’s will that by doing good 

you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.

1 Peter 2:15

give thanks in all circumstances; 

for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

1 Thessalonians 5:18

 As a chronic complainer, I was quite convicted by the mention not once, but twice, that God's will for me/us is to give thanks in all circumstances.  {For encouragement on the power that a thankful heart unleashes, head over to my post, The Power of Thanksgiving, which you can read here.}

This seems like the perfect way to start truly living and seeking God's will for my life, by being grateful in ALL circumstances, knowing that...

the will of God has placed me here, 

have no fear...

Let us pray for an understanding of God's will in our own lives...

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God! 

Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground!

Psalm 143:10

And for an understanding of God's will for our brothers and sisters in the Lord...

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, 

asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will

 in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,

Colossians 1:9

For more posts related to the will of God in a Believer's life, please click on the following:

What's God's Will for My Life

Flying Into Windows

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