THY WILL BE DONE. To pray “Thy will be done” means we sincerely desire God’s will and purpose to be fulfilled in our lives and the lives of our families, according to His eternal plan. “Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.” Matthew‬ ‭6:10‬

‭How can we determine the will of God? In general, the Bible refers to the will of God in three different senses. 1) In some passages, “the will of God” is another way of saying, “the law of God”. David parallels the phrase “Thy law” with “Thy will” in Ps 40:8. Similarly, Paul considers knowing God’s law to be synonymous with knowing God’s will (ROM 2:17-18).

Since in His law God instructs is in the way that He wants us to walk, the law may properly be called “the will of God”. “Law” essentially means “instruction” and includes the whole word of God. 2) The will of God is also used to designate anything that God expressly desires; this may properly be called “God’s perfect will”. For example, it is God’s revealed will that everyone be saved. (1 Tim 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9) This truth does not mean that everyone will be saved, but only that God desires the salvation of everyone. 3) Finally, the “will of God” may refer to what God permits to happen, even though He does not specifically desire it to happen; this may properly be called God’s “permissive will”.

Indeed, much that happens in the world is contrary to God’s perfect will (sin, lust, violence, hatred, etc) yet He permits evil to continue for a time. The decision of people to reject salvation, to disobey His Word, to rebel, turn away and continue to sin and depart from the living God is permitted by Him; but is not His “perfect will”. Similarly, God permits many troubles and afflictions in a godly persons life, “For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 3:17; 4:19

The Bible’s teaching about the will of God expresses more than mere doctrine; it intersects with our lives as believers in an everyday basis. First, we must learn what God’s will is; His perfect will as revealed in Scripture, including His law. “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭5:15-17‬ ‭NKJV‬‬#runyourrace

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