If we want to share the good news of Jesus Christ, if we want to live as adopted children of God, and if we want to reflect God’s glory through our example, we must have a solid prayer life. It is by spending time with God, speaking with Him, and listening to Him in silence that we deepen our relationship with Him. We cannot share what we don’t know. It’s ironic that those prayers can sometimes lead us to the ultimate test of our faith–the belief that God always has our greater good in mind
If your prayers are like mine, they include petition and intercessory prayers. I might ask for healing for myself or another person, request insight on a difficult problem, or even place the whole world before Him and ask Him to fix it, please.
As I get to the final words, which are some variation of Your will be done, the flutters invade my stomach. God is all-powerful, all-present, all-knowing, and all-good. So why, as soon as these words are spoken, do I assume that I won’t get an answer to my prayer? At least not the answer I want. I believe my problem stems from a form of memory loss.
I Forget That It’s Not All About Me
My worldview tends to be a teeny bit self-centered. I see things through my wants, my needs, my desires, and I forget that God has a few billion other people to consider.
I recently had a case of bursitis. Naturally, I prayed for healing. Part of the program recommended by the doctor included physical therapy. On my first day, I discovered that my physical therapist had just moved to the area and joined our parish. I was able to provide information about a Mother’s Group and a women’s Bible study for his wife, a stay-at-home mother. Did God give me bursitis in order to deliver the message? No, but He was able to use my broken condition in order to convey information that had the potential to draw one of His children closer to Him.
It’s good to remember that my life isn’t all about me, and God’s answers to my prayers will reflect that.
I Forget to Trust God
When I worked in the insurance industry, we called the phrase in a contract that allowed a party to wriggle out of a situation “weasel wording.” In my weaker moments, I believe that Your will be done is God’s version of weasel wording. If I don’t see a healing, it must be because God didn’t feel like doing it. Yet, illness is not God’s will. When the leper in the Gospel of Luke places his healing in Jesus’ hands, saying, “Lord, if you wish, you can make me clean,” Jesus’ response is, “I do will it.” (Emphasis added by me.)
God’s will for us is so much bigger than we dare hope. In John 10:10, Jesus spells it out for us. “…I have come that they may have life, and have it more abundantly, says the Lord.”
It’s good to remember that God will answer my prayers in a way that will give me life, more abundantly.
I Forget That I’m Not God
I tend to assume that I know everything. That there are clearly good things and bad things, and a loving God would only expose me to pleasant experiences. So, what exactly is the good stuff? “For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected when received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the invocation of God in prayer.” 1 Timothy 4:4. That’s right. Everything is good!
Sometimes, the best evangelizing I can do is to live this truth and joyfully accept God’s will in my life. My example can show others that being a Christian doesn’t mean that life will be all roses or that every prayer will be answered to our satisfaction. It does mean that we are all part of God’s perfect plan, even if we’re not privy to the details.
It’s good to remember that I’m not God, and in those moments when my ego needs reminding, I can always refer to Isaiah 55:8:
“My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.”
Humbling, isn’t it? Praise God!
Copyright 2016, Jacqueline Vicks
Jacqueline Vick
Jacqueline Vick is a devout Catholic, wife to a wonderful guy, pet parent to a troubled mutt, and mystery writer. Her website is www.jacquelinevick.com.
2 responses to ““Your Will Be Done”- The Most Troubling Words in Catholic Prayer”
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This is wonderful Jacqueline. Thank you so much for sharing these thoughts. A very poignant reminder that God loves us so much that He will emphatically say “No” or “Not yet” despite our tendency to sulk and complain when we don’t get our own way. Because, He always has the better plan. A plan worth waiting for.
Lord, harden not our hearts, that we may trust in you and your unbounded love for us.
I learned from my earthly parents that sulking and complaining doesn’t do much good, so why would I expect it to work for my Heavenly Father? But I still do it. 🙂