Wednesday, March 12

Thy Will Be Done

Wednesday, March 12

Luke 22:42

Why pray?  Maybe that’s a question you wrestle with as you consider praying once again, or as you decide not to pray at all.

Why pray if it seems like your prayers are not answered or not answered the way you want? Certainly, we are commanded to pray. (Mt. 6:9) And obedience to that command matters.  What also matters in prayer – and everywhere, really – is submission to the Lord and a faithful, peaceful mindset in that submission.

Why pray if God already knows what we need ahead of time? (Mt. 5:8) Prayer is actually about us coming in line with God’s will; the prayer is to God, but it is reflexive – it involves our response to God’s will.

Jesus was fully man. And in that testing ground which is the place where we walk in our earthly journey of faith, He was fully tested. (Hebrews 4:15-16) The entire Passover evening Jesus experienced a confluence of joy, sorrow, ease, and angst. Celebrating the Lord’s Supper had at least a two-fold effect.  First, it was a way that Christ could be consoled in the fellowship of the remnant of disciples who had responded to His message about the Kingdom of God being one of sacrifice. (Lk. 22:26)   Second, He gave them a sustaining gift which pointed forward to His Resurrection (Lk. 22:18) and theirs, ours.

All of those emotions and experiences contributed to Jesus’ prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane: “Father, if Thou art willing, remove this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Thine be done.” (Luke 22:42)

Potent prayers are honest prayers. Scripture says Jesus was in “agony” as He prayed. (Luke 22:42)  Even His prayer was part of the vicarious atonement for our prayers which are not always honest or from a heart genuinely willing to submit to the Father’s will.  Hence Jesus’ very real angst.

Jesus’ prayer in the Garden was essentially the 3^rd Petition of the “Our Father.” He taught, “Thy will be done.” (Mt. 6:10)  Luther gave it this meaning: …”

God’s will is done when He breaks and hinders every evil plan and purpose of the devil, the world, and our sinful nature, which does not want us to hallow God’s name or let His Kingdom come; and when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.” (LSC)

Our “sinful nature” (still part of our being, after faith comes) “does not want to hallow God’s name or to let His Kingdom come.” This is why we pray to do His will. We need help beyond ourselves. And Luther concludes beautifully: “God’s will is done ….when He strengthens and keeps us firm in His Word and faith until we die.”

Why pray?  What do you say?