: I am a growing Adventist
Christian who needs to know more about the meaning of "your will be
done" in the Lord's prayer. Do you think God will answer all of my prayers
no matter what is the request? What is God's will?
Answer: One morning a church minister noticed a little boy on the
very front row mumbling something with his eyes closed. It was a very small
church, so the minister could hear the boy whispering "Tokyo" over and
over. The minister was curious, so after the service he went to the little boy
and said, "Son, I was so glad to see you praying so fervently in church
this morning. I think I heard you saying "Tokyo" much of the time. Is
there a reason you were praying for that town?" The child looked down at
his shoes, he twisted inside his shirt and then said, 'Well, you see sir, I took
my geography test yesterday, and if God doesn't make Tokyo the capital of
France, I am going to get it wrong."
Think about it dear friend, what would happened if God answered everybody's
prayer the way this boy wanted his to be answered. How long would Tokyo remain
the capital of Japan?
When we pray "your will be done" it simply means that we must let
God answer our prayers the way that is best for us. If the
prayer only has
personal implications then all we need to do is to trust and wait on God. He
will answer in His time and in a way that is beneficial for us. If the prayer is
inclusive, or concerns events, circumstances and situations involving other
people, (as a lots of prayers are) then certainly "God's will" cannot
not be submitted to the whim and fancy of every individual, no matter how great
one's need or how honest and sincere one might be. God is everywhere, and He has
the most sophisticated computer system that enables him to listen to all prayers
at the same time, and from His vantage point, answer in a way that is best for
all. Many times only God knows how practical our prayers really are. A few
months ago I am sure some people were praying for sunshine, while at the same
time others were praying for more snow. If you pray for rain today and your
roommate prays for sunshine, would that mean that God would have to follow you
around with your own rain cloud and at the same time provide sunshine for your
roommate. It would certainly be funny to see everyone running around with
his/her own "prayer-controlled climate."
I am sure that if God would literally answer the prayers of all the abused
children, frustrated and battered wives or mothers, angry fathers, and
disgruntled students, there would not be much mercy for the dejected, forgotten,
or repentant sinner. Perhaps we would see people dropping dead on the streets
for no reason, others jumping out of graves, children turning to dogs, teachers
growing wiskers, cars climbing trees, just everything changing at the whim of
others.
I am happy that there is a God who is in charge, and who is merciful, fair
and loving. How do we know what is God's will for us? First of all we must get
acquainted with the Bible. It is His "user's manual" for our
successful operations on earth. There you will find God's revealed will - the
"Manufacturer's" guide and instructions on how to live mentally,
spiritually, socially and physically. Secondly, prayer is "custom
calling", which is an individual's unique and personal request presented to
God for special consideration. After we would have entered our request to God,
"your will be done" would simply mean TRUSTING and WAITING
for the appropriate answer.
Barrington H. Brennen, MA, NCP, BCCP, is a marriage and
family therapist and board certified clinical
psychotherapist, USA. Send your questions or comments to barringtonbrennen@gmail.com or
write to P.O. Box CB-11045, Nassau,
The Bahamas, or visit
www.soencouragement.org
or call 242-327-1980 or 242-477-4002.
