Thy will be done Week 20, 2026

 

I don’t understand what you mean by this statement: Stop using prayer as a tool to get what you want from God and turn it into the tool to make you what God wants.

Yes. I want us to make prayer a labour for the will of God. For some, skilful training in prayer knocks out God’s will, God’s timing, and narrowly seeks to bring on the flesh.

Explain in clear terms please.

I will. Consider 2 examples. Mk 10:35-38(ISV)  James and John, the sons of Zebedee, went to Jesus and told him, "Teacher, we want you to do for us whatever we ask you." He asked them, "What do you want me to do for you?" They asked him, "Let us sit in your glory, one on your right and one on your left." But Jesus told them, "You don't realize what you're asking...”Their motivation was selfish and they were using prayer (and their mum used worship) to try to get what they wanted. That’s not how it should be.

So what is wrong with that? They had a conversation and the Lord corrected them.

When the motive is wrong the grace to handle it is absent. The prodigal son knew how to ask for what he wanted. Lk 15:12(ISV)  The younger one told his father, 'Father, give me my share of the estate.' So the father divided his property between them. He wasn’t asking for his brother’s inheritance. His own share. But you see he couldn’t handle it. Lk 15:13 (ISV)  A few days later, the younger son gathered everything he owned and traveled to a distant country. There he wasted it all on wild living.  Getting his request simply resulted in leaving his father’s presence and squandering the resources. When he repented his prayer was different. He no longer said “Give me”. It was “Make me like one of your hired servants” Lk 15:19(MKJV). Use prayer to make you into what God has planned.

So our prayers should not specify our wishes, just simply say “Thy will be done”?

Far from it. Very far from it. When one asked Jesus for mercy he asked for specifics. Lk 18:38, 41(ISV)  So he shouted, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!" "What do you want me to do for you?" He said, "Lord, I want to see again!" I don’t ask “Thy will be done” when hungry or having bills to settle. I know what His will is. We must have a mindset that God is good and wants the very best for us. 1Tm6:17(ESV)  God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. In repenting the prodigal realised his father was very generous even to servants, unfortunately the elder son saw him as stingy! What a contrast. Make prayer a tool of making you what God wants. He wants holiness, so you seek it. He also wants your needs met, including having something to set for your guests, so you seek it. We must find out from the scriptures and waiting on God what is the plan. purpose and timing of God. Then based on that we go ahead to ask. I know God wants me healthy so I boldly ask. 3Jn 1:2(ESV)  Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul.  When faced with choices not explicit in the bible as marriage, location, employment etc prayer is my tool in bringing my mind and soul subject to the Spirit of God so as to know what to choose. I am sure whatever He says will be the best. . Is 48:17(GW)  This is what the LORD, your Defender, the Holy One of Israel, says: I am the LORD your God. I teach you what is best for you. I lead you where you should go.  You see we can never have anything better than the will of God.