Luke 11:11, “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent?” We are often reluctant to pray “Thy will be done.” It is even taught today that it is a sure sign of a lack of faith to pray, “Not my will but as thou wilt” although that is a quote from the Son of God, Christ Jesus. Many use this phrase out of obligation to the commandment or fear of rejection. After giving God the list of needs and wants, “Thy will be done” is added to offset any disappointment of not receiving our selfish petition. More thought must be given to prayer than this.If we have no assurance that the things we desire are the will of God for our lives, we have no business asking for them. It is a basic distrust of God as a “good father” that causes us to hold aloof the words, “Thy will be done.” “If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone?” Prior to this question in Matthew 7, Jesus was teaching that we are to ask for God’s will to be done, here, just as it is done in heaven; and that an honest, seeking person will not go away empty-handed. He was assuring us that we need not fear asking for God’s will to be done. To make the point clear He asked the following question: “…what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone? Or if he ask a fish, will he give him a serpent? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?” When Luke recorded this, he added, “Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion?” (Luke 11:10-13) This further makes the point that this is a rhetorical question, because it evokes the response, “Of course we would not do that!” He wants us to know that praying for God’s will and our good are not crossed purposes.  A Part of Our Model Jesus places this concept into the model prayer and therefore puts it into a category of richness beyond the first glance. As with all of the Lord’s model prayer, it demands we make personal changes. To make the prayer comfortable or natural, you must either change it, or you are forced change yourself. When you see your life not conforming to the words of the prayer, it shows that you are out of sync with the life that Christ intended for you. Who, but a few, could honestly pray for “daily bread” with a week’s supply of food on hand? Who can say, “Forgive me because I forgive everyone who sins against me?” You must therefore make your life fit the prayer. We have, rather, attempted to change the prayer, or at least made it impotent. We set aside the power of this prayer by teaching it as a nursery rhyme and saying it with the cadence of a limerick. But for this prayer to truly have its intended effect, we must make “Thy will be done" as easy to pray earnestly, and in truth, as it is to say from memory. When you say the first words “Our Father,” these words should truly reflect your feelings of community with other believers and your place in family of God. “Thy Kingdom come” should roll from lips truly desirous to see the His Kingdom established. “Forgive us our debts,” ought to be said in full assurance of being granted because no grudge or debt is being held by you toward anyone. Then, “Thy will be done” can be said and felt sincerely, clearly, and confidently. After all, “…what man is there of you, whom if his son ask bread, will he give him a stone?” The imagery in the words used by Jesus is astounding. Notice all the desired articles mentioned: bread, an egg, a fish – all...

Ver todos los episodios