It does not work to say to God, “Please do your will and mine.” This is actually a presumptive statement. It is God’s kingdom and his will that we must desire above all else. This thought ties directly to Christ’s words in the Sermon on the Mount; seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. And, as we see in Christ’s most challenging moment here on earth, he submits to his father and says, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). Christ was being totally consistent with what he taught his disciples.
So, when your child prays for a particular request, great or small, teach him what Jesus taught his disciples. It may be for someone to win a particular race or event. Or the prayer might be for the hamster not to be sick, it may be for the sun to shine, it may be for Mommy to feel better, it may be for God to safely bring home a loved one from war, or it may be to find a job.
Whatever the prayer, the best conclusion is always that God’s will be done.
Teach your children that their prayers, their wants and desires are best met when God’s kingdom rules and his will is done. One can never be too young or too old to rest in this great truth.
Pray for God to bring his kingdom to those of us who so desperately need him, who need his best. This is a beautiful and comforting place to be —your kingdom come, your will be done. Seeking God’s will, having his kingdom your first priority makes any time and any place special.
Because God loves you, what you want is not his priority. His ways are not our ways. And that, is a very good thing!