Thy Will Be Done

Date: 08 August 2005 09:27:57

"Thy will be done." This means first of all: grant me strength and help me to understand what is your will, help me to overcome the limitations of my own reasoning, of my heart, my own will, in order to discern your paths, even if they are unclear at first. Help me to accept that which is difficult and seemingly unbearable or impossible in your will. Help me, in other words, to desire that which you desire.

Our Father, Alexander Schmemann, p. 51

Through Journeyman James' blogging on this book, I found myself wanting this book. And I've just begun to read it. It was in fact James' quoting of the same paragraph above that had me wanting the book. I'm having to slow myself down as I am greatly benefiting from reading this book. It is a relatively small book [5'' x 7''; 96 pages], but packed full of wisdom.

In relation to the petition, 'Thy will be done', Fr Schmemann notes that it may seem the easiest and most obvious and understandable petition, but "[in] reality [it is] the most difficult" (pg 46), for it is far too easy to take 'Thy will' to mean 'our will':

We desire that God would assure our happiness. We want him to defeat our enemies. We want him to realize our dreams and that he would consider us kind and good. And when God fails to do our will we are frustrated and upset, and are ready over and over to forsake and deny him. (pp 48-9)

May I pray truly, "Thy will be done."