Unpacking the Lord's Prayer Part 2 - A Deeper Dive
Part 2 - Thy Will Be Done
Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13
Message Recap
From the Gospel of Matthew:
“9 This, then, is how you should pray:
‘Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts,
as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from the evil one.’”
This week, we continue our sermon series, Unpacking the Lord’s Prayer, in which we’re taking a closer look at one of the most well-known passages of scripture. Universally referred to as the Lord’s Prayer, these words are more than just the prayer Jesus taught his disciples. They are a guide to Christian living. Last week, we discussed that a prayer recited nearly every week during worship might become too familiar. We’ve repeated it so many times we might find ourselves just saying the words and losing the underlying message. Our goal during this series is not only to make sure we all know what the prayer says but to focus on praying it, not just saying it.
In the two verses preceding the text containing the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus tells his disciples,
“7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.”
His instruction is not a condemnation of long prayers but a reminder to not just say a bunch of words and call it prayer. The difference between prayer and saying words is intention, feeling, and living out the commitments made. Only when we consider and embrace the meaning of our prayers do we elevate from just speaking words.
“Our Father in heaven…” This opening line establishes a foundation for approaching God. Using “Our Father” was a radical departure from the highly formal way the Jewish people interacted with God. A whole series of ceremonial laws had to be followed before addressing God. Instead, Jesus taught that by beginning prayer with “Our Father,” we are invited to approach God directly and with the trust and dependency of a child. People could have a more personal relationship with God, no longer restricted by ritual and designated intermediaries. Addressing God with such informality was a radical concept for the Jewish people of the time. Today, we sometimes take for granted this personal approach.
Beyond this comparatively radical nature of approaching God, Jesus’ use of the word “our” suggests a new level of inclusivity for the time. Jesus asks us to recognize that we are part of a much larger family. No longer is a relationship with God reserved for a select group of people. Every believer is a brother or sister in Christ.
While “Our Father” emphasizes the close personal relationship between God and his people, the phrase “in Heaven” is a reminder of his sovereignty. God is both close to us, but he is also infinitely superior and sovereign over all. He is unmatched in glory.
“hallowed be your name…” Hallowed is not a word we often use or hear in daily conversations. The word originates from the Old English adjective halig, which means holy. To consider something hallowed is to consider it sacred and held high. In the case of the Lord’s Prayer, we’re using God’s name with deep reverence and respect. This line of the prayer is a commitment to treat God’s name as holy. Our lives, words, and thoughts should demonstrate respect for God. How do we use God’s name in our daily lives? Do we consider the third commandment, “Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain,” when we use God’s name?
“Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name…” In these first few words, Jesus teaches us to approach God with a heart that acknowledges his majesty and celebrates the intimate and loving relationship we have with him. They remind us of our place within God’s larger family and prepare our hearts for the remainder of the prayer that follows.
“your kingdom come…” When we pray for God’s kingdom to come, we are praying for an alignment. It’s about aligning kingdom values with today’s world. Jesus wants us to focus on kingdom values now. It’s not about waiting until we get to Heaven before you begin espousing and living those values. If we keep the values Jesus taught in mind daily, it changes how we live our lives. It impacts how we make decisions, treat people, and spend our time. Do we live each day with God’s kingdom in mind? In his letter to the Philippians, Paul reminds us that our citizenship is in Heaven and that our time on Earth is only temporary.
“20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
“your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” The Lord’s Prayer stands on a foundation of belief in a sovereign God who is alive and active in our world today. It’s not about something that will happen in the future. We believe God is with us and involved in our lives here and now. We are declaring that our hope and the destiny of our lives lie with the Lord in Heaven. So often, we tie our hopes to politicians, corporations, jobs, and other influential people. In the Lord’s Prayer, we confess that our hope - present and future - is in the rule of God.
“Your will be done” is a statement of submission. How often do we place our will above God’s? We feel the call and nudge from God but cast it aside in favor of what we believe is best. Each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we submit ourselves to where God wants to lead us. Consider Jesus’ own words in the Garden of Gethsemane, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” (Luke 22:42 NIV)
The Lord’s Prayer begins with a profound acknowledgment of who God is to us: a powerful and sovereign creator but also a close and loving father. This relationship is at the core of our faith. Let us be conscious of this bond and the love he bestows on us. May we take special care to protect the sanctity of God’s name and strive to bring glory and honor to him in all we do. May the words of the Lord’s Prayer be a call to action to love others and spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
God’s Sovereignty and Our Free Will
At the risk of diving into a deep theological discussion that would require far too many pages, let’s consider, at a high level, how we reconcile a sovereign God with our ability to exercise free will.
Throughout this week’s message, we touched on the fact that our God is sovereign over all creation. This claim of sovereignty is certainly supported by scripture. For instance, in the NIV translation of the Book of Ezekiel, God is identified as “sovereign Lord” over 200 times. We find in the Old Testament books Exodus through Deuteronomy God’s law given to Israel. Not only were they given the law, but the people of Israel received a clear message that God would hold them responsible for obeying his law. Likewise, the consequences of disobedience are clearly revealed.
If God truly controls all things, then it would stand to reason that no one would ever do anything contrary to his will. Yet, in the same books that outline God’s law, we find many instances where the people rebelled against God. In fact, the entire Old Testament reads as God’s constant struggle to keep his people in line. And thus, you have free will. While God is in absolute control of all things, he has given us the freedom to follow our own path. Of course, like disobedience, free will comes with consequences - you reap what you sow (see Galatians 6:7-8).
Wouldn’t things be easier if God didn’t allow us to make our own choices? Perhaps. But let’s assume that God’s primary purpose for creating humans was to have an eternal fellowship with those who truly love him. Without free will and the ability to make our own choices, we would be robots without the potential to rebel and turn away. A creation of inherently good robots does not allow for true love because there is no other choice. Only love that comes from a free choice of the will is true love, and it isn’t genuine if there’s no other option.
We have been given the freedom to choose in God's infinite wisdom. For some, this freedom ultimately leads to destruction. For others who choose to discern and follow God’s will, there is a life of joy and fulfillment. When we pray the Lord’s Prayer and ask for God’s will to be done, we are making the choice, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to follow wherever he leads.