In verses Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus provides a model for believers to follow as they pray. He is speaking to crowds that have gathered around Him as He sits and preaches. Jesus is sharing that believers are not to pray to draw attention to ourselves or to just say Christian phrases so we sound good. He exhorts us to pray differently. He then shares what is commonly called the Lord’s Prayer. Jesus says, “Pray then like this:

“Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name.
¹⁰ Your kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
¹¹ Give us this day our daily bread,
¹² and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
¹³ And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.”

The fourth line, “your will be done” is a commitment to God that we want Him to rule in our lives. No matter what that means, whether we like what He is doing or not. This portion of the prayer is about our complete surrender to God’s will, in all things. This means that we are giving Him control over everyone and everything in our life, which He already has. But this is about our hearts and reminding us that we are not in control of anything. The scary part of this commitment is that God is not always going to do what we want Him to do. Things do not always turn out the way we think they should. It is during these times that we must cling to His promise in Romans 8:28 that He works all things together for the good of those who love Him. The promise is “all” things, not some, not the ones that feel nice when they are happening, but all things. No matter what happens to us, God will use it for good.

Let’s pray. Father in heaven, thank You for showing us how to pray. Help us to step aside and give You control of our lives, no matter what that may mean. May our lives reflect Your love to everyone we meet. In Jesus name we pray, amen.