APR 18

Matthew 6:9-13
Memorise Luke 22:42
“…Thy will be done…”

As a believer, you have submitted, in obedience, to forsake all your sinful ways and trust in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour. Romans 12:2 describes this experience and submission as not only a transformation but also a renewing of the mind. With this renewed mindset, you are then able to understand God’s perfect will. You can perceive things in the context of the Kingdom of God.

Slowly, you begin to understand and experience that God’s will is indeed good and acceptable and perfect. God’s perfect will if followed protects and preserves while enabling one to maximize one’s potential. In following our own will, due to our fleshly nature, limited worldly experience, knowledge and understanding, we often hinder our own spiritual growth.

Whatever we ask must be in accordance to God’s will for God’s plan for our lives is always good for us. He is the Sovereign God who rules with perfect justice, perfect wisdom and perfect equity over all. You need not fear that you will lose out or be cheated of your opportunities. God is wiser, greater and more loving than all and He will see that His child grows to the stature of the perfect man, in grace and knowledge of Him. Your objective in life and in prayer is always to glorify Him.

To ensure that you are seeking and doing God’s will, learn to ask Him what His will is on any particular matter before acting. That is why the next clause that Jesus taught in the Lord’s prayer is for us to ask for “thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”. Basically we are asking that God would execute His perfect will in our lives, in accordance to His divine heavenly decrees. When we make such a prayer, we are submitting to His leading and guidance, and seek to align our will with His.

Go to Him in prayer, before you go to men or to your friends. If you go to unbelievers, it is even worse. They do not see things from the perspective of the importance and glory of the Kingdom of God. Doing God’s will might sometimes entail some sacrifice and pain. It is often not what we desire but you can be sure that if you submit, you shall come forth as gold!

Thought: Jesus obeyed God’s perfect will when He died on the cross for our sins.
Prayer: Increase my faith, heavenly Father, that I might always seek to do Thy perfect will.