Thy Will Be Done (Prayer) - Christian Articles Archive

Thy Will Be Done

by Dr. Ralph F. Wilson
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"It's selfish to ask God to help us conceive a healthy baby isn't it? Shouldn't we just pray, 'Thy will be done'?" Good question. Should we pray specifically or just ask God to do the best for us and leave it up to Him? As we understand that God is a good, caring Father who delights in His children, it isn't hard to see why He wants to answer our requests. When my daughter comes to me for an ice cream cone on a hot summer day, I am pleased to grant the request, unless she has already had three other cones today or it is just before mealtime. Of course, ice tea might cool her off just as well, but she asked for ice cream. I want to please her because she is my beloved daughter. If Annie expresses no opinion about her desires I wonder what is wrong. If I ask her if she prefers a blue dress with ruffles or a pink dress with lace around the color, the right answer is not, "I don't care, you decide." That is not being compliant and submissive, but uncaring, unresponsive, depressed, sick. A real sign of maturity, however--far past my daughter's four years--would be displayed if she were to accede to my will when she senses a conflict between her desires and mine. Jesus abhorred His crucifixion as He anticipated the physical torture and spiritual crush of the world's sins. He expressed to His Father what He was feeling. Yet knowing that His death would bring forgiveness and joy to millions, He put aside His human desires, and acquiesced: "Not my will, but thine, be done" (Luke 22:44). It is in case of an apparent conflict, that "Thy will be done" is a wonderful expression of trust and dependence to a father. So go ahead: your Father wants you to ask for the specific things you desire. He loves you, you are free to enjoy His love. "If you ... know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!" (Matthew 7:11).