The Most Dangerous, Safest Prayer
Can anything be simultaneously safe and dangerous? Does this seem absurd to you? If you answered yes, I understand why, as clearly, it’s not safe to walk in the middle of traffic, drive while blindfolded, or swim with sharks. Obviously, every one of these actions is dangerous, with no element of safety included. Truthfully, I could think of other examples, just as incredulous as these, as danger and safety are fundamentally distinct.
At the same time, when it comes to praying, there is in fact one particular prayer, that due to a lack of spiritual understanding, can potentially be perceived as dangerous. Yet in truth, it’s actually the safest prayer to pray: “[Our Father] may Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven”. This of course is the third petition of the Lord’s prayer, and it is also the way Jesus taught His disciples, including us today, to pray.
The Safest Prayer
When we pray, "Your will be done," we are acknowledging God as sovereign over our lives. Further, when we pray, “Your will be done," we are declaring God’s plan as infinitely greater than our own. Finally, when we pray, "Your will be done," we are demonstrating ultimate trust in God’s wisdom. And we are empowered to pray this way because we know God loves us immeasurably and is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). It is for these reasons and vastly more, that praying, “Your will be done” is in fact the safest prayer we can pray.
The Danger Perception
Even so, praying this way does require aligning with God’s will. And this means surrendering our own—thus the potential for the danger perception. Why? Because praying this way means embracing God's plans and acknowledging them as superior to ours. Unfortunately, due to our humanness, and quite frankly ignorance, praying this prayer can feel somewhat scary. Yet, this is only until we understand that God’s will is always best for us, and for the people we are praying for.
The Benefits
The benefits of praying “Your will be done" are numerous. Yet, most notably, praying this way is praying in alignment with God’s will, God’s heart and God’s plan. Additionally, praying like this results in personal peace, knowing we are praying for God’s, (who is all wise, never-changing and consistently faithful), will to be accomplished. Also, praying “Your will be done” results in hope for what we don’t yet see, but God has promised. And further, praying this prayer solidifies our trust in God alone, who never fails. All this together leads to confidence in prayer–summed up beautifully in the words of the apostle John, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14 NIV).
Jesus, Our Model
The most significant aspect of praying “Your will be done" is realizing that Jesus not only taught this prayer, but He also flawlessly modeled this prayer.
On the absolute worst night of His life—the night before His betrayal, arrest, abandonment, and crucifixion, Jesus prayed to His Father in heaven saying, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. Yet not as I will, but as You will” (Matthew 26:39 NIV). Can you even fathom this? I honestly cannot!
Yes, Jesus was, is, and always will be God. But on the night He prayed this seemingly dangerous prayer, He was still fully human—meaning just like you and me. Yet, assured of His Father’s love, Jesus knew He was perfectly safe praying just as He did—entirely surrendered, wholly obedient, and fully committed to the Father’s will.
So perhaps today, take some time in personal gratitude considering the selfless, courageous prayer Jesus prayed on your behalf. Then respond by asking Him to empower you to pray in the same way He did, completely trusting in God’s will for your life.
Pray
Dear Jesus, thank You for perfectly modeling what it truly means to pray, "Your will be done." Help me to learn from Your example, and to align my will with Yours, even when it's difficult or seems contrary to my own desires. Empower me by Your Holy Spirit to trust in Your perfect plan, knowing You are faithful, good, and Your will for my life is always best. Amen.
Reflect
Knowing God’s will is the safest way to pray, why does it sometimes feel risky?
Encourage others with your response to this week’s question HERE!