Is "Thy Will Be Done" a Prayer of Faith?

November 14, 2010

Two weeks ago, someone asked if some of us use "Thy will be done" as a way of hedging our requests to God. Rather than really asking for something, perhaps we are just making suggestions.

We opened this week's look at prayer by considering this question.

First, we have to acknowledge that we humans may be misdirected in our prayers. We have limited understanding. "Thy will be done" can simply be an attempt to align ourselves with God. The attitude of the person who is praying determines whether the phrase is faith or humility--or doubt.

Sometimes, we find ourselves praying "This is what I want, so please approve it." By recalling "Thy will be done," we can keep ourselves from becoming so arrogant.

Prayer doesn't change God, but it changes us. "Lord willing" (the phrase used in James's letter to emphasize God's authority) can signal our openness to participate in God's image.

It was suggested that some things, such as healing, are always in God's will. But there are circumstances when His will is not carried out. The Bible (2 Corinthians 12) specifically mentions a healing that did not take place. Only God knows the future, so when we're praying we try to be aware that God's larger purposes may not include what we're now praying for.

Some people report being checked when trying to pray for something. At that time, we are again changed. Our attitude becomes, "Not what I want, but what God says is best." Trusting God completely, releasing everything to Him, sometimes allows God to answer the whole prayer. (Brandon gave us an example in his life, when his mother had to stop praying as though his healing were more important than trusting God. Once she released Brandon completely to God, trusting Him to do what was best, Brandon was in fact healed.)

Ruth Haley Barton's book, Sacred Rhythms, was mentioned. She shared the image of a pansy that has become rootbound. When the pansy is removed from the little pot, its roots are extending out, reaching for nutrients. In the same way, we need to be at least open to, even reaching out for, new approaches to God. "We long for something more."

Prayer should not be so much "so I can be forgiven and avoid Hell," but more "make me like You." Our prayers need to evolve as we mature in God's Kingdom. "Thy will be done" is a key part of such growth. We need to learn to trust God and to submit to His wisdom.

While Matthew gives us the Lord's prayer as part of a larger sermon, Luke's account (chapter 11) puts it in the context of the disciples asking for instruction. They weren't satisfied with the way that they had been praying. The Lord's prayer is the answer.

1) Why do we pray?

We want to communicate with our Creator, building a relationship (sometimes called communion). We reach the point where we want the time with God to be more than a "laundry list" of requests for God to fill. Some shared that as they have drawn closer to God, the time they spend in prayer has expanded naturally.

2) What is the purpose of prayer?

We want to be transformed into God's likeness. We want to tap into intimacy with God. (An example was given by a couple who have learned to be comfortable in each other's presence. They don't have to talk constantly, but they do enjoy being together.) Psalm 131:1-2 was given as an example of such a prayer.

Jesus taught His disciples how to experience intimacy with God. It is risky, because we need to expose ourselves. In our early prayers, we may have been seeking a way to control our lives ("Here's what I need today, Lord"). We need to move to surrender ("God, I trust that your way is best for me") instead of control.

Patterns of intimacy with others will affect our ability to be intimate with God. "Our Father" should open up such channels: relationship, intimacy, surrender. Of course, the word "Father" creates hangups for some people. We were reminded of Romans 8:26--the Spirit helps us in our weakness. When the imagery is inadequate, when our thoughts are not clear, the Spirit intervenes. "Thy will be done" reminds us to get back to God's meaning and purposes.

Next week, we will begin looking at other specific words found in the Lord's prayer. As an example, Jesus used the word "our" in front of Father. While it is certainly acceptable to pray in private (part of the passage even encourages this), we must remind ourselves that we are part of the Kingdom and that God is not just "mine."