“Your will be done” is probably the most difficult thing for us to honestly pray. Why do we think that God’s blessings only come in the form of things we like, want, or expect? Why do we think that God’s blessings are only what we deem is a blessing? Is it possible that the greatest blessings are something other than what we expect?
Do we really… honestly… genuinely… completely… and totally want God’s will to be done in everything or just when it benefits us, when it fits within our goals, our hopes, and our dreams?
Should we not pray…
Your will be done in my life whether I like it or not… whether it is expected or not… whether it is “fun” or not… whether it is painful or not. Your will be done!
Your will be done in my family regardless of what I want, expect, hope or dream of. Your will be done!
Your will be done in my career even if it means losing my job or getting a promotion… even if it means being demoted or promoted… even if it means moving to another state or staying in the position I’m in for the rest of my life. Your will be done!
Your will be done in my health even if that means cancer… if that means suffering… if that means a shorter life… if that means a long life… if that means being bed ridden or running marathons at age 80. Your will be done!
Your will be done in my children’s lives even if that means heartache… that they are disappointed… that it doesn’t turn out the way they expect or the way I hope. God, Your will be done!
One of my favorite quotes is, “Just because we don’t see how something can be good doesn’t mean it isn’t good.” Or as one great saint wrote concerning God’s will, “What you will… when you will… as you will.”
The degree to which we can honestly pray “Your will be done” is a great indicator to the level of which we have surrendered our all to God.
The next time we pray… as we pray… may the desire of our heart be: “God, Your will be done in this as it is done in heaven!”