Catechism Question 92
What is the third request in the Lord’s Prayer and what does it teach us regarding prayer?
The third request is “Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” In it we learn to pray that by His grace God would make us to know, submit to, and obey His will in everything, as the angels do in heaven.
Focus and Purpose of this Question
This is the fifth in a series of questions on the Lord’s Prayer. In this question, we ask what is the third request in the Lord’s prayer and what it teaches us. This question follows the same format as the previous questions, asking the words of the request, and what the request teaches us regarding prayer. Additionally, as we saw in the previous questions, when we pray for this specific thing, we are also committing ourselves to work for it. It would not be possible to pray with the attitudes we saw in question 86 and then not labor to see these things done in our own life.
The answer to this question tells us three key things. First, we are to pray that God’s will would be done on earth as it is done in heaven. In a sense, this is the completion of the request for the Kingdom to come. When God’s Kingdom comes, His will is done. Second, we see that if the will of God is to be done, it must be done in us. This means that we must be able to know, fully submit to, and obey God’s will in everything. Finally, we are asking, not that this would be done partially, but that we would all obey God’s will just as fully and quickly as the angels in heaven do. This is what it means for God’s will to be done on earth as in heaven.
Additional Questions:
What is the third request Jesus taught us to pray, and what does it teach us?
What do we learn to pray in the third request?
What do we learn to pray in the third petition?
Scripture References:
Matthew 6:9–13
“This, then, is how you should pray: “ ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, 10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us today our daily bread. 12Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.’ For yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.”
Luke 11:1–4
One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” 2 He said to them, “When you pray, say: “ ‘Father, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come. 3 Give us each day our daily bread. 4 Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation.’”
Matthew 26:39–42
Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” 40 Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. 41 “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak.” 42 He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”
John 4:31–34
Meanwhile his disciples urged him, “Rabbi, eat something.” 32 But he said to them, “I have food to eat that you know nothing about.” 33 Then his disciples said to each other, “Could someone have brought him food?” 34 “My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work.”
1 Peter 4:1–2
Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God.
Romans 12:1–2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Deuteronomy 29:29
The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.
1 Thessalonians 5:23–24
May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24 The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it.
Hebrews 13:20–21
May the God of peace, who through the blood of the eternal covenant brought back from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, 21 equip you with everything good for doing his will, and may he work in us what is pleasing to him, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Psalms 103:20
Praise the Lord, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.
Questions for Further Discussion:
What does it mean to pray for God’s will to be done on earth?
If God’s will is to be done in earth, what does that require of me after I pray?
Where do I find the will of God?
How does prayer show me areas where my will and God’s will are in conflict? Does prayer change God’s will – or mine?
What does it mean to pray for God’s will to be done on earth – as it is in heaven?
Additional Information:
This question is based on question 124 of the Heidelberg Catechism and question 103 of the Westminster Shorter Catechism. Any resources you find on the Heidelberg or Westminster Shorter Catechisms will have a good discussion on this question.
For additional information, see the teachings “Praying To Our Father In Heaven” (January 5, 2014), “The Two Aspects of God’s Will” (January 4, 2009), and “What Is God’s Will For My Life?” (January 11, 2009).
Suggested Worship Song:
Take My Life and Let It Be (Frances R. Havergal)
(This song is a prayer that every aspect of our lives would be given over to God. It is essentially an extended prayer saying “God’s will be done – in my life.”)
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love.
At the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice and let me sing,
Always, only for my King.
Always, only for my King.
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold,
Not a mite would I withhold.
Not a mite would I withhold.
Take my love, my God, I pour
At Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my self and I will be
Ever, only, all for Thee.
Ever, only, all for Thee.