“I delight to do Your will, O my God; Your law is within my heart.” — Psalm 40:8 (BSB)
“Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.” — Romans 12:2 (BSB)
“Then I said, ‘Here I am, it is written about Me in the scroll: I have come to do Your will, O God.’” — Hebrews 10:7 (BSB)
This petition calls me to surrender my self-will, ambitions, and preferences, and to be shaped by God’s Word and Spirit. In heaven, God’s will is done perfectly—freely, joyfully, completely. I long for that same obedience to be lived out in the Church, in society, and within my own soul. Praying this way stretches my trust, deepens my holiness, and aligns me with God’s eternal purposes.
Canon Dr. Joel Scandrett (Trinity School for Ministry) writes, “This petition is a daily crucifixion of self. We pray not just to know God’s will, but to become the kind of people who love and live it.”
Bishop Julian Dobbs (Diocese of the Living Word, ACNA) explains, “To pray ‘Your will be done’ is to say, ‘Lord, take my life, my plans, my comfort—and conform them to Your truth. Reign not only over the world, but over me.’”
The 1662 Book of Common Prayer reinforces this submission through its prayers of confession, Collects for grace and guidance, and its weekly remembrance of Christ’s obedience “even to death upon the cross.” The liturgy trains believers to desire God’s will more than our own.
J.C. Ryle wrote, “True prayer bends the knee—and the heart. If we cannot say ‘Your will be done’ in our prayers, we do not yet pray as children of God.” (Expository Thoughts on the Gospels, 1865)
Archbishop Foley Beach (ACNA) has said, “This is one of the hardest and holiest prayers we can offer. When we mean it, God reshapes our lives for His glory.”
To pray “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” glorifies Christ because it expresses our full trust in His Lordship, conforms us to His obedience, and advances His reign of righteousness.
St. Cyprian of Carthage (c. 200–258 AD): “We pray that the will of God be done in us, for His will is our sanctification. We cannot belong to Christ unless we live in obedience to the Father.” — On the Lord’s Prayer, 14
St. Gregory of Nyssa (c. 335–395 AD): “Just as the angels in heaven do God’s will with joy and speed, so we ask for hearts that gladly obey, and lives that reflect heaven’s order.” — On the Lord’s Prayer, 3
St. John Chrysostom (c. 347–407 AD): “Do you want to know what it means to do God’s will? Look to Christ. In this petition, you pray to follow Him—through obedience, sacrifice, and glory.” — Homily on Matthew, 19
An Anglican Catechism (Expanded) offers over 350+ Scripture-based answers to the core truths of the Christian faith. Each entry includes biblical texts, theological insight, and reflections from historic and contemporary Anglican voices. Rooted in the classical tradition, it is designed for teaching, discipleship, and spiritual formation.
An Ancient Worship Movement invites readers into the rich, historic worship of the early Church rediscovered through the Anglican tradition. This book calls believers into a deeper, Spirit-filled encounter with Christ through timeless practices.
St. Thomas Church
PO Box 873
Abbotsford, BC,
V2T 7A2, Canada
If you are interested in starting a St. Thomas Church in your area and or ordination path fill the contact card form.
St. Thomas Church is a Church planting movement in ancient tradition.
