Your Will Be Done, on Earth as It Is in Heaven

In Today’s Word, Jesus teaches us that prayer is, first and foremost, a meeting with our Father. To pray effectively, we must begin by understanding the nature of the One to whom we speak. Through Christ, we have been granted the amazing privilege of calling the Creator of the universe “Abba, Father” (Romans 8:15).

True prayer is centered on the glory of our Father, as expressed in the phrase, “Hallowed be your name.” This is a declaration that His name is holy and must be honored above all else. God Himself declares, “I am the Lord; that is my name! I will not yield my glory to another or my praise to idols” (Isaiah 42:8). Therefore, prayer is not a tool to satisfy our selfish needs; it is an act of exalting God. The essence of prayer is believing in His mighty name and glorifying Him in every circumstance of our lives.

When we pray, “Your kingdom come,” we are acknowledging the absolute sovereignty of God. Our Father has existed from eternity past and will reign through eternity future, yet He also reigns in our hearts today through the Holy Spirit. Prayer is not a method for improving our present comfort, but a means of submitting to God’s authority. Only through this submission can we discover His grand plan for world evangelization. This leads us to seek His will: “Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”

Human perspective often fails to grasp God’s absolute plans hidden within difficult situations. When Joseph was sold into slavery by his brothers, it seemed like a tragedy; however, it was actually God’s will to save lives during a future famine (Genesis 45:4-5). When Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, it wasn’t the victory of his enemies, but rather God’s way of ensuring His name would be proclaimed throughout the entire Babylonian empire (Daniel 6:26). God is a God who plans and fulfills. As Isaiah 14:24 states, “Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will happen.”

Our God moves the world with specific purposes, and He has a specific plan for you. He declares, “For I know the plans I have for you… plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). If you are facing trouble in your family, your health, or your work, do not be discouraged. Your Father is working tirelessly to fulfill His plans for you. Even when He allows hardships, He is at work so that “the least of you will become a thousand” (Isaiah 60:22). God is not looking for your personal ability; He is looking for your faith. He uses trials to mold you, making you mature and complete (James 1:4).

To realize God’s will in your life, you must look to His Word. Just as rain waters the earth to make it flourish, God’s Word does not return to Him empty but accomplishes exactly what He desires (Isaiah 55:10-11). Every time you engage with Scripture, ask the Father, “What is Your desire? What is Your purpose?” The Bible is our absolute authority and standard. By entering the blessing of the gospel daily, you will begin to see His direction.

God also has a specific purpose for your local church. You can discover His weekly direction through the messages delivered by His servants, which provide the timeline and focus for your week. As you take that Word and enter deeply into prayer, the Holy Spirit will remind you of everything you need to know (John 14:26). Remember, no force on earth can block the will of God. It will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.