As I continue on the most popular of all Christian prayers, Jesus moves yet in another direction. He now makes this statement: "Thy will be done..." Hmmm?
God's will. How many different ways have I heard this rationalized in my lifetime? To say the least, many. I have found this particularly true during adverse situations. Phrases like "Why did this happen?" or "How could this end up like this?" are heard from the lips of hearts who are discouraged or even in pain. Then the mysterious yet all-inclusive answer comes from another: "God moves in mysterious ways." For many, God's will becomes nothing more than a mere fog, a mirror broken in so many pieces we can't see the reflection, or hanging on to a hopeful thought. It is like being encouraged to blow out candles on a birthday cake after closing your eyes and making a wish. As a result, I am really not sure what Jesus is saying here.
What exactly then is... God's will?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Saint Paul defines for us what God's will is.
Historians think Saint Paul wrote to the church around 51 A.D. He had left the city of Thessalonica abruptly due to Jewish persecution and escaped to Corinth. The city was a seaport of Macedonia in Greece. The Christian church located in this city was quite evangelistic and excited about the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some historians equally conclude the church at Thessalonica may have been only a few months old when they received this letter from Saint Paul.
One thing to note in regards to these believers: they did not realize some of their own would be killed for choosing to believe in Christ Jesus. These new believers in Him thought Jesus was coming back soon...like real soon, long before their lifetime had concluded.
Paul loved this group of believers...deeply.
A Gleaning from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
" Make this your goal, your benchmark to pursue in this life: find contentment with your faith in Him and practice the art of a glad and grateful heart. Always make this a concerned effort to the point it becomes a continual and ongoing attitude in your lives.
Have the same mindset in prayer: learn to pray in a continuous manner throughout the day and do not allow circumstances you face dictate when you pray...pray anyway!
As you practice this and it becomes a part of you, you will know for yourselves what the will of God is; giving purpose, meaning, and His direction to your lives.
This is the key to receiving His joy in your hearts, not being dependent on any circumstances or scenarios, and when His return does arrive, He will receive you with His open arms!"
Like other things we learn in life: a career, a hobby, or special talents you have been blessed with, we have to practice so our passions and pursuits are developed and we can truly enjoy what we endeavor to do.
In this prayer Jesus is teaching His disciples, He has given us the "go sign"...we can pray "thy will be done..." Saint Paul confirms it and gives us advice on how to achieve it.
{ Note: Another reflection to the will of God in our lives is during the time a family member passes. Shortly afterwards there is normally a time designated for all to gather and hear the "reading of the will."
It is customary at this reading for family members, friends, etc. to receive the desires and instructions of the deceased including the designation of inheritance and to whom these things go.
Martin Luther once wrote in reference to this phrase "Thy will be done..." in this manner: "Let the purpose and pursuit of His kingdom...flourish in me."
I think as a Christian Jesus left with us a "reading of His will" through the thoughts and passages of the Sacred Scripture. Saint Paul writes from the letter to the Romans in chapter 12:2 "Receive a new attitude, new ideals, so we can experience ourselves what is the good and acceptable will of God." This inheritance we have been given includes His promises to us as designated in Scripture. }
God's will. How many different ways have I heard this rationalized in my lifetime? To say the least, many. I have found this particularly true during adverse situations. Phrases like "Why did this happen?" or "How could this end up like this?" are heard from the lips of hearts who are discouraged or even in pain. Then the mysterious yet all-inclusive answer comes from another: "God moves in mysterious ways." For many, God's will becomes nothing more than a mere fog, a mirror broken in so many pieces we can't see the reflection, or hanging on to a hopeful thought. It is like being encouraged to blow out candles on a birthday cake after closing your eyes and making a wish. As a result, I am really not sure what Jesus is saying here.
What exactly then is... God's will?
In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, Saint Paul defines for us what God's will is.
Historians think Saint Paul wrote to the church around 51 A.D. He had left the city of Thessalonica abruptly due to Jewish persecution and escaped to Corinth. The city was a seaport of Macedonia in Greece. The Christian church located in this city was quite evangelistic and excited about the return of the Lord Jesus Christ. Some historians equally conclude the church at Thessalonica may have been only a few months old when they received this letter from Saint Paul.
One thing to note in regards to these believers: they did not realize some of their own would be killed for choosing to believe in Christ Jesus. These new believers in Him thought Jesus was coming back soon...like real soon, long before their lifetime had concluded.
Paul loved this group of believers...deeply.
A Gleaning from 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18
" Make this your goal, your benchmark to pursue in this life: find contentment with your faith in Him and practice the art of a glad and grateful heart. Always make this a concerned effort to the point it becomes a continual and ongoing attitude in your lives.
Have the same mindset in prayer: learn to pray in a continuous manner throughout the day and do not allow circumstances you face dictate when you pray...pray anyway!
As you practice this and it becomes a part of you, you will know for yourselves what the will of God is; giving purpose, meaning, and His direction to your lives.
This is the key to receiving His joy in your hearts, not being dependent on any circumstances or scenarios, and when His return does arrive, He will receive you with His open arms!"
Like other things we learn in life: a career, a hobby, or special talents you have been blessed with, we have to practice so our passions and pursuits are developed and we can truly enjoy what we endeavor to do.
In this prayer Jesus is teaching His disciples, He has given us the "go sign"...we can pray "thy will be done..." Saint Paul confirms it and gives us advice on how to achieve it.
{ Note: Another reflection to the will of God in our lives is during the time a family member passes. Shortly afterwards there is normally a time designated for all to gather and hear the "reading of the will."
It is customary at this reading for family members, friends, etc. to receive the desires and instructions of the deceased including the designation of inheritance and to whom these things go.
Martin Luther once wrote in reference to this phrase "Thy will be done..." in this manner: "Let the purpose and pursuit of His kingdom...flourish in me."
I think as a Christian Jesus left with us a "reading of His will" through the thoughts and passages of the Sacred Scripture. Saint Paul writes from the letter to the Romans in chapter 12:2 "Receive a new attitude, new ideals, so we can experience ourselves what is the good and acceptable will of God." This inheritance we have been given includes His promises to us as designated in Scripture. }
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