Danny Hickman Supporter Believer in The Gospel Of Jesus Christ

I read the prayer of Matthew 6 differently than many people. I don't think, "Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," is a request but an affirmation. The verses that precede vs 10 cause me to question the traditional way in which some of the prayer is understood:

"When you pray, don't heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for (here it is) 'your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Pray then like this: "Our Father in heaven..." 

I don't think it makes as much sense to request that God's will be done than it does to affirm that we know it to be that way. 

Life here is very difficult; that's why we complain so much! I think Jesus is telling us to tell the Father that we realize that his will is done here, and that we accept his will for our lives. It's a way of us saying, 'I won't complain.' 

Listen to how he says it: "Hallowed is your name." This is where the meaning is missed for some of us. Jesus isn't speaking of the Father's identity, his known designation or signature; he's declaring the Father's authority over both heaven and earth.. He says, "your kingdom come" right after saying, in essence, 'your authority is respected as sovereign.' 'Name' is 33AD for 'authority' or 'sovereignty.'

He's not asking for the Father's kingdom to come, he's affirming that God's kingdom is already in power here on the earth. 

In summary, Jesus says before we begin to ask God to supply us with the things we need, we need to tell him that we know he has the authority to do whatever he chooses to do with us, and without even knowing what that will be, we say 'amen'! We say amen because as he said previously, the Father knows our needs before we make a request. We're declaring our faith in his providence. 

So we're not asking for his will to be done, we're saying, 'Father we know you are sovereign in your kingdom, which is one kingdom in two locations, both heaven and earth.'

Our first request in this prayer is to be fed on a daily basis... the other two requests are to be forgiven for our sins, and to be given victory when we're attacked by the evil one (satan).

Why do we ask him? Because, "thine (yours) is (all three) the kingdom, the power (authority) and the glory" (the honor of being who you are)... Amen..

Jesus says, 'Pray thusly': Father in heaven we acknowledge your great power and authority in both heaven and earth. We ask that you would meet our daily needs according to your grace and mercy. 

We have sinned; we ask your forgiveness, and that you would deliver us from our daily struggles with the evil one. This is your kingdom; you have all power and authority, and we give all the honor to you.! Amen!'

December 23 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The key to this petition is the condition added to it -- that is, that God's will may be done ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN. God's will is done in heaven with no opposition or resistance. However, on earth, the activity of Satan and his demonic forces, as well as the universal sin of humanity, cause obstacles to the accomplishment of His will. This petition is expressing the desire that those impediments be overcome.

November 25 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

This prayer was given to Christ's disciples (Hebrews) who were awaiting Israel's promised earthly kingdom of (created in) heaven to finally come to Earth. Asking for His will to be done is further expression of their desire to be living in this kingdom where they will rule with Christ during Christ's millennial earthly reign under God's new covenant.

This prayer is often mistakenly used by Christians today who believe it is meant for them. We today, however, are living during the 'dispensation of the grace of God' (Ephesians 3:2, Romans 6:14, Galatians 3:23, 1 Corinthians 6:12), which is separated from God's covenant program with Israel.

God's instruction for us becomes more clear if we study the bible as we are taught in 2 Timothy 2:15, "rightly dividing the word of truth", the gospel of our salvation (Ephesians 1:13) that was given to the apostle Paul, from that of the believing Hebrews. Jesus (while on Earth) and the 12 apostles was to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, which is not you or I (Matthew 10:5-6, Matthew 15:24).

During God's dispensation of grace (Ephesians 3:2) there is no difference between Jew or Greek (Galatians 3:28). Believers today instantly become members of the church, the body of Christ upon belief (Ephesians 1:13, Ephesians 4:30, Colossians 1:24). We today seek spiritual blessings and a heavenly kingdom that awaits us, rather than Israel's earthly kingdom and earthly blessings (Ephesians 1:3).

Our apostle Paul received the revelation of the 'fellowship of the mystery' from Christ ascended in heaven (Ephesians 3:9), which was before kept secret since the world began (Romans 16:25). Had this mystery gospel been known prior to Christ's death, the princes of this world would not have crucified Christ (1 Cor 2:8). Christ's message to Paul differs from that of the 12 apostles to biblical Israel. Salvation for anyone living today simply requires belief in Paul's gospel:

1 Corinthians 15:1-4
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:"

When we believe this, we are sealed with the holy Spirit until the day of redemption, and thankfully not just until we sin again (Ephesians 4:30)…which we will most likely do as humans (Romans 7:22-25). Our faith in Jesus Christ makes us the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)!

Our sins were forgiven nearly 2,000 years ago (Colossians 1:14, 2 Corinthians 5:19), and salvation occurs at the moment of belief in this, the gospel. Nothing that we ourselves do in the flesh can assist in what Christ completed for us (Ephesians 2:8-9, Colossians 2:10). It's literally how we accept Jesus Christ as our savior from this present evil world (Galatians 1:4). If you're turning from sin for salvation, who's doing the turning? YOU are, but YOU can’t save YOURself. Only faith in Christ will work for salvation. When you obtain faith alone in Christ alone for your salvation, you now have the license to serve Him instead of serving yourself. You are now an ambassador for Christ and a minister of the word of reconciliation between God and man. You will desire to share the TRUE good news that saves today when you finally let go of yourself and submit to God through faith in Christ. Jesus Christ was perfect for you, did all the work for you, took the punishment on the cross that you deserved, was buried, but rose from the grave the 3rd day for your justification.

Break the yoke of bondage (Galatians 5:1) and live in peace by accepting God’s free gift (Romans 5:18) through faith in Christ and His finished cross-work (Colossians 2:14)!

November 25 2022 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report