Part of praying for God’s Will to be done is setting aside our own desires, which can be a terribly difficult thing to do. We are used to having things our way. Burger King has used that slogan off and on since the early 1970s: “Have it your way.” I conducted a funeral for a non-member and the family wanted that Frank Sinatra song “My Way” (I did it my way) played. All I could think is that when we do things our way, we are bound for death and doom and destruction. Why would you want to brag about that? It is only because God sent Jesus to pay for sin that we can be assured of forgiveness and life. That should be our focus, especially at a funeral.

But getting back to the topic of “Thy will be done.” That was the prayer and attitude of Jesus is the Garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26:39 Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

So how do we follow His example and submit ourselves to God’s Will?

A man walks into a church in the middle of the week. He is by himself, which is perfect, because he wanted some alone time with God. He was resolved to turn his life around, and today was the day he was making a fresh start. He took out a piece of paper and started making a list. “I promise to be a better husband and father. I promise to be more faithful in church attendance. I promise to give a fair days work to my employer. I promise to…” and the list went on and on. After he had filled up the paper, he signed it, took it to the front of the church, placed it on the altar, then he sat down again. He waited. And he waited. And he waited some more. Then he heard a voice that said, “Go get the paper.” He walked to the altar, picked up the paper, and the voice said, “tear it up.” So he did that. Ripped it to shreds. Then the voice instructed him, “Take out a blank piece of paper, sign it, and put it on the altar.” He did that, and the voice said, “That’s what it means to pray ‘Thy Will be done.’”

Lord, help us to rejoice in being your children, part of your kingdom now and forever. Give us hearts that want to live according to Your will. In Jesus’ name. Amen.