Armodoxy for Today: Prayer, without Permission

We continue today with a deeper dive into the Parable of the Unrighteous Judge, a story offered by Jesus and recorded in the 18^th chapter of the Gospel of Luke.

Today we look at a phrase in the Lord’s Prayer – the “Our Father” – where Jesus teaches us to prayer, “Thy Will be done on earth as it is in heaven.” When we say these words, it is not an affirmation that God’s Will can be done on earth as it is in heaven. As such the phrase might give the impression that we are giving permission to God: Let Your will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven! Go ahead God, You can do it!

God does not need our permission, rather he waits for our participation. In other words we need to accept the invitation to make His Will come to fruition here in this world.

Jesus’ parables and his message are packed with invitations for us to move to action. God’s Will has been clearly announced at the Birth of Christ: Peace on Earth and Goodwill toward men. (Luke 2:14) That is His Will in Heaven. That is the basis of the harmony that we understand in Heaven. Now the challenge is ours, to be the agents – the hands, the feet, the mouth, the embrace, the desire – to usher in His Will on here on earth.

Don’t read more into it. His Will is not death and destruction of the planet. It’s not the killing of one ethnic group over another. He is Our Father. We are all His Children. Peace and harmony is what He announced at the Birth of His Son and it is that mission for which we – His children – must strive.

Once again, on this third day of the deep dive, we find the Parable of the Unrighteous Judge teaches us to accept the invitation to participate in with God in the beauty of Life.

We pray, Lord, open my heart to accept Your Call to be an ambassador of your Love and Peace. Give me the strength and courage to accept this invitation and to act upon it. Amen.