What do we pray for in the third petition?
In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, as the angels do in heaven.
Proofs
- In the third petition, which is, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10)
- we pray that God by his grace would make us able and willing to know, obey, and submit to his will in all things, (Psalm 67 throughout; Psalm 119:36; 2 Samuel 15:25; Job 1:21)
- as the angels do in heaven. (Psalm 103:20–21)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Is God’s purpose his will?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He doth according to his will in the army of heaven and among the inhabitants of the earth, (Daniel 4:35)
Should all our actions be referred to this determining will of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ye ought to say, if the Lord will, we will do this or that, (James 4:15)
And should we submit to it in all dispensations?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: When he would not be persuaded they ceased, saying, the will of the Lord be done, (Acts 21:14)
Section 2
Doth this submission consist with a due sense of the evil of affliction?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For we must not despise the chastening of the Lord, (Hebrews 12:5)
And with a moderate grief and sorrow, on account of it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Hezekiah wept sore, (Isaiah 38:3)
And with earnest prayer for deliverance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Why hidest thou thy face, and forgettest our affliction? (Psalm 44:24)
And with the use of all lawful means to obtain it?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Then the disciples took Saul by night and let him down by the wall in a basket, (Acts 9:25)
Practical response
Should our understandings approve the severest dispensations of providence?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Good is the word of the Lord which thou hast spoken, (Isaiah 39:8)
And our wills be resigned to them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Wherefore doth a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sin, (Lamentations 3:39)
And our passions be composed under them?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, curse David. Who then shall say, wherefore hast thou done so? (2 Samuel 16:10)
And should we pray that we and others might be enabled thus to submit to the will of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That we may be strengthened with all might, unto all patience and long suffering with joyfulness, (Colossians 1:11)
Section 4
Are God’s precepts his will?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They are the good and. perfect, and acceptable will of God, (Romans 12:2)
Are we by nature unwilling to do this will of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: We are to every good work reprobate, (Titus 1:16)
Should we therefore pray that we might be made willing?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Incline my heart to thy testimonies, (Psalm 119:36)
But when we are willing are we always able?
Answer: No.
Proof: What I would, that I do not, (Romans 7:15)
Should we therefore pray that God would make us able as well as willing?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Strengthen thou me, according to thy word, (Psalm 119:28)
And should we desire this for others as well as ourselves?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That they might be perfect in every good work to do his will, (Hebrews 13:21)
Section 5
Do the angels in heaven obey God’s will?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They do his commandments, (Psalm 103:20)
Do they do it cheerfully?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Bless the Lord, all ye his hosts; ye ministers of his, that do his pleasure, (Psalm 103:21)
And zealously?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Who maketh his angels spirits, and his ministers a flaming fire, (Psalm 104:4)
And humbly?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They cover their faces, and their feet with their wings, (Isaiah 6:2)
And universally?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They go straight forward, whithersoever the spirit goes, (Ezekiel 1:9, 12)
And constantly?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They always behold the face of our Father, (Matthew 18:10)
Do saints in the other world resemble the angels in their obedience?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: They are as the angels of God in heaven, (Matthew 22:30)
Should saints in this world therefore seek after such a resemblance?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That he that is feeble, might be as David, and the house of David might be as the angel of the Lord, (Zechariah 12:8)