First Presbyterian Church of Baton Rouge

The two phrases go together: Your will be done. Give us this day our daily bread. We’re yours. Provide for us and others. We’re willing to be the answers to prayer. We will participate in your provision.

John 6: 30-35, 51

Augustine did not know peace. He did not know love. He did not know God. That is, until he gave his heart to Christ. He yielded his will to God’s. And so he could pray,

In your service is perfect freedom.
You have made us for yourself, and our hearts are restless until they find their rest in you.
In your service is perfect freedom.

Seeing the results of surrender motivates us to yield more. But still we have to struggle with what is called the gravitational pull of our own will. There is a downward tug that always tells us, “Do what you want. Be free. Don’t let God crush the life out of you.” That, of course, is a lie. God’s will gives life and freedom. But how do you counter that powerful force of your will?

The answer is so simple. Ask for help! Ask the Holy Spirit to create the ability to yield your will to his will. Psalm 143: 10 provides the perfect daily prayer,

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!
Let your good Spirit
Lead me on level ground!

To pray, “Your Kingdom, let it come” is a life changing prayer. It means first that we recognize this world is not all right.This right now is not the kingdom. I see suffering. I see brokenness. I see lostness and need and chaos and madness and violence. And it is not all right. It is not the way it should be. So I pray for the Kingdom to come. God bring your rule of peace and forgiveness and love and grace to this broken place. And suddenly I realize this prayer is involving my life. He sends me to the suffering ones, to receive them in his love as if I am receiving the King himself.

Isaiah 65: 17-25

It's great fun praying for God to hallow his name. It means that we get restored to the deep intimacy with our Father for which we were made.

Ezekiel 36: 22-28