“Thy Will Be Done On Earth As It Is In Heaven”
- Meaning: This petition is a profound expression of surrender and trust in God’s plan. It acknowledges that God’s will is perfect and ultimately good, even when it’s difficult to understand or accept. We pray for His will to be carried out in our lives and in the world, recognizing that His ways are higher than our own.
- Intent: This petition is a declaration of alignment with God’s purposes. It’s a commitment to seek His will and actively participate in bringing it about in our daily lives. It’s a prayer for obedience, for the grace to follow God’s leading even when it challenges our own desires or expectations.
- Scriptural Background: Scripture is filled with examples of God’s will being done, both in grand events and in the lives of individuals.
- Old Testament: Proverbs 3:5-6: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.”
- New Testament: Jesus himself exemplified this surrender in the Garden of Gethsemane, praying “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). He calls us to follow His example and seek God’s will above all else.
- Church Teaching:
- Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 2827): “By prayer we can discern ‘what is the will of God’ and obtain the endurance to do it.”
- St. Augustine (Sermon on the Mount): “Our Lord Jesus Christ… willed to pray, not that the will of the Father might be done, which is always done, but that we might do the will of the Father.”
- Martin Luther (Small Catechism): “The good and gracious will of God is that everyone should be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth.”
In essence, “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” is a prayer for transformation – of ourselves, our communities, and the world. It’s a recognition that God’s will is perfect and that true fulfillment comes from aligning our lives with His purposes. It’s a call to surrender our own desires and trust in His loving plan, even when it’s challenging or unclear.
Prayer and Meditation With
Meditating with the petition “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” This phrase, brimming with surrender and trust, can lead us into a deeper intimacy with our Trinitarian God.
Preparing our hearts:
Find a peaceful space where you can connect with God without distractions. Close your eyes, breathe deeply, and release any worries or tensions. Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your thoughts and open your heart to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
Contemplating the Father’s Will:
Imagine the Father’s perfect will reigning supreme throughout creation. Picture a world where love, justice, and harmony prevail, where every creature flourishes according to His design. Reflect on the vastness of His wisdom and the unwavering goodness of His plan, even when it seems mysterious or challenging to us.
Encountering Jesus’ Obedience:
Bring to mind the image of Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane, surrendering to the Father’s will, even though it led to suffering and death. Reflect on His words, “Not my will, but yours be done.” Consider how His perfect obedience paved the way for our salvation and opened the door for us to participate in God’s plan.
Embracing the Spirit’s Guidance:
Sense the gentle presence of the Holy Spirit within you, guiding you towards the Father’s will. Reflect on the fruit of the Spirit – love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities reflect God’s will for your life and empower you to live in alignment with His purposes.
Praying for Alignment:
With a renewed understanding of God’s will, pray “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven” with heartfelt sincerity. Ask the Father to reveal His will to you in every situation. Pray for the courage and humility to surrender your own desires and follow His leading, even when it’s difficult or requires sacrifice.
Living out God’s Will:
Carry this spirit of surrender into your daily life. Seek to discern God’s will in your relationships, your work, and your decisions. Be attentive to the promptings of the Holy Spirit and strive to live a life that reflects obedience and trust in God’s perfect plan.
By meditating on “Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” we deepen our relationship with our Trinitarian God. We acknowledge the Father’s sovereignty, Jesus’ perfect example of obedience, and the Spirit’s guidance in our lives. This petition invites us to live in surrender and trust, allowing God’s will to shape and transform us into the people He created us to be.
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Sharing
Jesus last words on Earth were to his disciples, can be found in Matthew Chap 28 when Jesus told his disciples, “Then Jesus approached and said to them, “All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age.”
Jesus calls all of us to share in his redemptive mission here on Earth. I would ask you to share this Scripture reflection with your family, your friends and your acquaintances, and then share it with a couple of individuals that you may may not be comfortable sharing with, keeping in mind always the words of Jesus, And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age
Author was assisted by AI in the drafting of this Post