“Not My Will, But Yours Be Done”
Submitting to God’s will is our choice. God never forces us to do what He wants, but he invites us to trust him and follow His guidance in every area of our lives. I have an antique portrait in my house that looks very old. It reminds some people of the portraits in movies where the eyes follow people as they walk by. The portrait is of former American President William McKinley, who was at one point in his life a Methodist Minister. I didn’t buy it because I’m a huge fan of his, although I do like history. I bought it for the words on the bottom that say:
His Last Words: “God’s Will, Not Ours, Be Done.”
William McKinley was one of four US Presidents to be assassinated. He lingered for 14 days after being shot before finally passing. That’s what made the words and the portrait so powerful to me. Even on his deathbed, he said God, here’s everything – even my own life. Your will be done. The purpose of this prayer exercise is to challenge you to shape your life with those simple words.
The Lord’s Prayer (maybe better called the Disciples’ Prayer) in Matthew 6 is a daily invitation to submit and align ourselves to God’s will. Every phrase helps us get on the same page with God. This prayer exercise will focus on the second sentence of the prayer:
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.
Like the words on the portrait, we will be praying in terms of ‘yours, not mine’. We are submitting to God, praying that His will be done over our own. This helps us understand that prayer is about US getting on the same page as God, not God getting on the same page as US. Unfortunately, it’s common practice today to simply request things from God without first submitting to His will and trusting His control. So let’s pray this section of the Lord’s Prayer. Be sure to journal any thoughts or impressions you feel God speaking to you as you pray this prayer:
The Prayer of Submission
Father God, may Your Kingdom come.
Not my Kingdom. Help me to live to advance your Kingdom and not my own.
May my talent and skill go to advance Your Kingdom, not my own personal influence.
May my money and resources be invested in Your Kingdom, so that they could reap eternal rewards. May you show me my part to play in your Kingdom. Reveal more to me about my spiritual gifts and calling, so that people might see Jesus through my life.
Father God, may Your will be done.
Not my will. I confess that my will often gets in the way of your will. I often choose my own way, when you’re inviting me to follow yours. May you align my heart to your will, and may your will be done here today. Father, I recognize that You are always at work in the world. I pray that you would help me to partner with You in what You are already doing. Help me trust in Your work and in your timing.
Father God, may it be on earth as in heaven.
May you transform the world around me.
May you transform my city and community.
May you transform me.
Help me to live as Your ambassador on this earth.
Amen.
