“Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:9–13
As a child, I thought the Lord’s prayer contained the words “my will be done.” Even after I’d been told otherwise, I still didn’t want to believe it. How could anyone know what I needed and wanted better than me? God was smart and all, but could I trust Him? I knew He was around somewhere, watching over me, but how could He know what was best for me—what translated in my childish vernacular was what I wanted?
It took me several years to let down my guard, to really put my weight down where God was concerned. It was just how I treated flying. Granted, I’d get on the plane but I’d hover my feet above the floor so as not to put too much extra pressure weight on the plane. Logical? No. Fanciful thinking? Yes.
Then I decided to test Him, just a bit at a time. I turned something over to Him and waited for results. God didn’t disappoint. Things still turned out fine. In fact, some things turned out better than fine! So I gave Him a little more responsibility for my life. And more. And more.
Eventually I realized that there were things He could handle even better than me. What’s more, even when things weren’t going my way, I didn’t feel alone. We’re in this together, God and I. I don’t have to tough things out alone. Yes, Lord, Thy will be done. It is far better than mine.
Faith Step: As you pray the Lord’s Prayer today, think about what each word means. It is how Jesus taught us to pray.
