April 23, 2016
The Lord’s Prayer — “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”

“What does this mean?–Answer.
The good and gracious will of God is done indeed without our prayer; but we pray in this petition that it may be done among us also.

How is this done?–Answer.
When God breaks and hinders every evil counsel and will which would not let us hallow the name of God nor let His kingdom come, such as the will of the devil, the world, and our flesh; but strengthens and keeps us steadfast in His Word and in faith unto our end. This is His gracious and good will.” (Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Small Catechism)

“Hence there is just as great need, as in all the others, that we pray without ceasing: “Dear Father, Thy will be done, not the will of the devil and of our enemies, nor of anything that would persecute and suppress Thy holy Word or hinder Thy kingdom; and grant that we may bear with patience and overcome whatever is to be endured on that account, lest our poor flesh yield or fall away from weakness or sluggishness.” (Martin Luther’s explanation of The Lord’s Prayer – Large Catechism)

What does it mean to pray that the will of G-d be done on the earth as is the will of G-d done in heaven? The answer comes in understanding the will of G-d. As Luther states, the will of G-d is that every will and counsel of the devil be destroyed. The will of the devil and of evil is completely destroyed in heaven, and that is G-d’s will on earth. But, the earth is the devil’s playground, and evil abounds around every turn that we take on this earth. How should we apply this petition to the great domain of human activity here on earth and also to our own particular circumstances and concerns? We can pray that G-d’s will be done on many levels: personally, locally, nationally and internationally. We look to our circumstances and pray for G-d’s will for those we love, for our church, for our community, for our land and our world. “Your will be done.” It is a prayer with both an active and a passive side. Actively, we are called to pray for G-d’s presence and rule on the affairs of this world, that G-d’s will may be done. Actively, we are challenged to pursue all that is in accordance with that will: in our own lives and in the lives of those for whom we are responsible. Passively, we are called to accept what is G-d’s will, even when it is to our own discomfort, disappointment, or even anguish. In heaven our Father’s will is done gladly, willingly, completely and joyfully – may it be like that on earth. We pray that there be a foretaste of heaven in our lives, in our decisions and in our communities here and now.

Pastor Dave