Editorial May 1, 1915 Issue

"Thy will be done"

Annie M. Knott

Throughout all Christian lands unnumbered thousands daily offer up the prayer, "Thy will be done in earth, as is in heaven," but few perhaps realize its tremendous significance or the scope of its inclusiveness. Quite apart from all doctrinal distinctions, this petition presupposes, on the part of each one who prays, a heartfelt desire that he himself shall do God's will, today, as it is done in heaven,—that his thoughts, words, and deeds shall all reflect the will of infinite wisdom and Love. This being granted, it would devolve upon each to take Paul's advice and "examine himself," so as to discover to what extent "the will of the flesh" has been responded to and his prayer thus rendered ineffective. This is indeed a vital question, for the prayer as given by Christ Jesus shows that God's kingdom will be established on earth when God's will is done as it was by the Master.

The spiritual interpretation of this petition, as found on page 17 of Science and Health, reads: "Enable us to know,—as in heaven, so on earth,—God is omnipotent, supreme." It is this knowing which enables one to do God's will in the way that Jesus did it, for unless the supremacy of Spirit is known and acknowledged we shall have the unending strife of warring human wills, that take no true account of either God or man. Alas, that so many should be fettered by the false belief that the doing of their own will can bring pleasure and satisfaction, when the fact is that it never brings aught but disappointment, with sin, sorrow, and sickness, until the meaning of God's will illumines thought and the Sun of righteousness arises "with healing in his wings." Then comes true joy, the joy which nothing can take away, when with the psalmist one can say, "I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart."

This shows the fulfilment of another promise, that God would write His law upon our hearts and minds, and Christian Science is showing us how we may at once avail ourselves of it. It shows us that the false belief in material laws of sin and death must be erased by truth, that the divine law may have its rightful and honored place. Jesus, who knew the Father's will, said, "It is not the will of your Father which is in heaven, that one of these little ones should perish,"—not even one poor straying sheep.

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