Teachings on prayer often center on praying for others. It may be easier to see the benefit of praying for others, but I believe there is great benefit in praying for ourselves, as well.
In fact, I think it is quite powerful. Jesus responded to the disciples’ request to teach them how to pray with a petition that he not only taught them, but also used in his own prayer: “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” I find great purpose in praying this way for myself, because I don’t always know what the will of God for my life might be.
The purpose of praying “thy will be done” is to relinquish control. I spend far too much time trying to stay in control of my life and circumstances. I have proven to myself that I lack the capability to control my own life and destiny. I don’t want to suggest that I have no responsibility for myself or that I am irresponsible, but I have come to the conclusion that when I am praying for myself, I am seeking the mind of God.
The petition “thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is found in the model prayer of Matthew, Chapter 6. Later when Jesus was going to pay the ultimate sacrifice and give up his life so that all of humanity could be saved, it was because of God’s will. Jesus cried out in Luke 22:42, “Nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” He gave up control of his own destiny and conformed to the will of God the Father. That was a prayer for himself that would ultimately benefit the world.
Praying for ourselves can be powerful when we are willing to give up control. It is when I decide that I am praying because I want to be guided along the path that has meaning from a divine perspective. There is no reason to pray if I think I already have the answer. It is a waste of time, and that is something that we don’t seem to have enough of.
My experience in praying for myself over the past 20 years regarding the will of God has led me to places of ministry that I would not have known to choose for myself. Yet I have learned that God uses us where he needs us and not always in the place where we are most comfortable. God wants to stretch us and help us conform to his image. I am grateful for the opportunity to pray, “thy will be done.”
My prayer point is quite simple. Today, give God control of your life and rejoice in accepting that he really does know what is best for you.
God bless you!
