your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.-Matthew 6:10
In a blog on Livinglutheran.com (A Dangerous Prayer by on November 14) , 2011) a seminary professor is quoted as saying:
If we had any idea what we were really asking when we pray for God’s kingdom to come and God’s will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we would never actually utter these words.Our human tendency is to think that God's will is the same as our own will. But when we look at the evidence and when we look at what Jesus taught, we know better. Die in order to live; humble ourselves in order to be exalted; turn the other cheek; walk the extra mile; love those who hate you; give sacrificially; think of others as better than ourselves.
These are all pretty word, to be sure. But what kind of *change* would it take for all of us to practice them on a regular basis? Ah, yes... I said "change." And this kind of "change" isn't a simple matter of accepting drums in worship or projecting the service on screens. No, we are talking about changing the way we think and act and changing even what we desire and need. It's changing from living for "me" to living for "everyone else."
What would this look like? It would turn the world as we know it upside down. Or maybe the fact is, our world is already upside down... this would finally turn it right-side up. Can you imagine giving a thief MORE than what he took from you? Can you imagine going without in order to make sure a stranger has enough?
"Your kingdom come"... are your REALLY ready for it?
Father,
Prepare our hearts for your kingdom that will someday come to earth exactly as you will it. Amen.
Joys: Roadside assistance services; chatting with Donna at Walmart; no tornado in my community last night (prayers for those affected in Rock Hill)
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